red eyed vireo

**1. Bird Name**
English Name: Red-eyed Vireo
Scientific Name: Vireo olivaceus

**2. Appearance**
The Red-eyed Vireo, just as its name implies, has striking red eyes, which are one of its most distinct features. This bird exhibits soft plumage with varying shades of olive green on its upper body and a gray-white hue on the underside, creating a pleasing contrast. It flaunts a white eyebrow stripe above each eye, bordered by blackish lines on top and bottom. The bird features a sleek and slightly hooked and pointed beak perfect for its feeding habits. As this species is sexually monomorphic (males and females look identical), physical appearance doesn’t help differentiate between genders.

**3. Size**
The Red-eyed Vireo is a medium-sized bird with an average length of about 13-15 centimeters (5-6 inches). They possess a wingspan ranging between 9.1 and 9.8 inches. Body weight of the Red-eyed Vireo typically varies between 12 to 24 grams.

**4. Habitat & Distribution**
Red-eyed Vireos have a highly diversified range that stretches from the northern fringes of South America up through Central America, and extending across major parts of North America. Their preferred habitats are broadleaf woodlands and forests, where they generally occupy the canopy. They are migratory birds that travel long distances from their breeding grounds in North America to wintering territories in the Amazon Basin.

**5. Interesting Facts**
One quirky fact about these birds is that they can sing more than 20,000 songs a day, earning them the nickname “preacher bird.” Red-eyed vireos also display the unusual behavior of “anting” where they use the formic acid from ants to preen and clean their feathers. The Red-eyed Vireo was once a popular cage bird due to their long singing periods.

**6. Diet**
Red-eyed Vireos are primarily insectivorous and feed on a variety of small insects, spiders, and other arthropods. However, their diet is also supplemented by small fruits and berries, which make up a significant part of their winter diet in South America.

**7. Behavior & Sounds**
Their singing behavior is notable, as they sing incessantly from dawn until dusk during breeding season. The song of the Red-eyed Vireo is a series of brief, questioning phrases, described by some as: “You see it—you know it—do you hear me?—do you believe it?” There is a slight pause between each phrase, which adds a pleasing rhythm to their singing. As for the nesting style, the females, aided occasionally by the males, build a strong cup-shaped nest suspended between twigs.

**8. Conservation Status**
According to the IUCN Red List, the Red-eyed Vireo is listed as ‘Least Concern.’ The species is widespread, and though populations may vary, they are not presently considered endangered or threatened.

**9. Lifespan**
On average, Red-eyed Vireos live for about 10 years in the wild. Their longevity can occasionally extend up to 13 years, but this is less common. Lifespan in captivity will vary depending on conditions but has generally shown to be less than in the wild.

**10. Additional Notes**
The Red-eyed Vireo plays an intrinsic role in maintaining the ecological balance by helping control insect populations. In the French language, it is referred to as “Viréo aux yeux rouges,” while in Spanish, it is called “Vireo Ojirrojo.” Despite its seemingly constant singing, this bird is elusive and often hard to spot in its vibrant, forested habitat.