ExploreBirds

Blue-headed Vireo

Vireo solitarius

The Blue-headed Vireo is a small bird with a bright blue head and a cheerful song. They love to hop around in trees, looking for tasty insects and berries to eat.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Blue-headed Vireo has a distinctive slate-blue head with bold white "spectacles" around its eyes. Its back is olive-green, contrasting with a clean white throat and belly, often with yellowish flanks, making it visually distinct from plainer vireos.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyVireonidaeGenusVireo
Blue-headed Vireo
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Blue-headed Vireo

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Male vireos tirelessly sing over 600 songs in a single day!

Their nests are so strong they sometimes last through winter storms!

These little birds migrate thousands of kilometers to warmer places!

They often hang upside down to snatch insects from underneath leaves!

Special abilities

Ability

Forest Detective

Blue-headed Vireo can carefully scan leaves and twigs because of its sharp eyesight, which helps it find hidden insects.

Ability

Song Weaver

Blue-headed Vireo has a rich, whistled song that helps it communicate and attract a mate across its forest territory.

Ability

Sticky Nest Architect

Blue-headed Vireo can weave a strong nest with spider silk, helping it securely attach its home to tree branches.

Measurements & details

Length
12.5-14.5 cm
Wingspan
20-23 cm
Weight
0.014-0.018 kg
Lifespan
3-7 years
Top Speed
40 km/h
Clutch Size
3-5
Incubation
12-14 days
Migration Distance
3000 km

Diet & Feeding

These little birds love to eat insects and sometimes enjoy munching on wild berries and seeds!

Primary Foods

  • Caterpillars
  • Beetles
  • Flies
  • Spiders
  • Ants
  • Wild Berries

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

This hawk preys on small songbirds like the vireo.

shelters

White Oak

Quercus alba

The vireo builds its nest and finds cover in oak trees.

eats

Eastern Tent Caterpillar

Malacosoma americanum

The vireo dines on these caterpillars, helping control their populations.

eats

Common Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Vireos supplement their insect diet with elderberry fruits.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance, and don't try to touch or catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Blue-headed Vireo?

12.5-14.5 cm

What is Blue-headed Vireo's wingspan?

20-23 cm

How much does Blue-headed Vireo weigh?

0.014-0.018 kg

How long does Blue-headed Vireo live?

3-7 years

How fast can Blue-headed Vireo move?

40 km/h

What does Blue-headed Vireo eat?

These little birds love to eat insects and sometimes enjoy munching on wild berries and seeds!

Where is Blue-headed Vireo usually found?

Forests

How does Blue-headed Vireo hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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