Red-eyed Vireo

Common to abundant migrant and breeder

This small perching songbird is relatively large for a vireo. It is about 6″ in length, has a10″ wingspan, and weighs about 0.63 ounces. The upper parts are olive green. The breast, belly, and throat are white to pale gray. The flanks and undertail coverts are yellowish. The wings are not barred.

The crown is gray and is edged with black. There is a dark gray line through the eye that extends forward to the bill and a white “eyebrow” line above that. The irises of adults are dark red, though this is apparent only at close range. The cheek is olive.

The legs are bluish-gray.

The song of the male is a continuous, variable series of short phrases separated by short pauses. It sounds similar to a robin but is not as loud and is more variable.

Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) has a yellow breast. The gray crown is not bordered with black.

Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) dark eye line does not extend forward to the bill. The gray crown is not bordered with black.

Insects, especially caterpillars, and berries.

The female builds a cup-shaped nest in the crook of a tree branch. When the nest is completed and lined she lays 3 to 5 eggs. The eggs are white and are spotted at the large end. She incubates the eggs 11 to 14 days. The nest building and incubation are done without the help of the male.

After the eggs hatch both the male and the female feed the nestlings. The young leave the nest in 10 to 12 days.

Early May to mid-October

This is the most common and widespread vireo in Minnesota.

Report a sighting of this bird.

Location: Bemidji, MN

Location: St Louis Co MN