The Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) is a small songbird found throughout much of North America. With its distinctive red eyes and monotonous song, the Red-eyed Vireo is a well-known backyard bird over much of its range. This olive-green vireo with white spectacles lives in deciduous and mixed forests, where it forages for insects high in the canopy. Its “preacher-preacher-preacher” song is a common sound in spring and summer across eastern North America.
Identification
The Red-eyed Vireo is approximately 5-6 inches in length and has an olive green back, white undersides, and a bold white stripe over each eye. As the name suggests, mature birds have distinctive red eyes. The bill is long and curved. Juveniles have brown eyes that gradually change to red during their first fall and winter.
This vireo can be confused with other “eye-ringed” vireos, especially the similar looking White-eyed Vireo. However, the White-eyed Vireo has a bold yellow stripe over the eye, not white. The Red-eyed Vireo also lacks the wing bars found on many other vireos.
Range and Habitat
The Red-eyed Vireo has an extensive breeding range across eastern and northern North America. Its breeding habitat stretches from Texas to Florida in the southeast, north throughout eastern states and Canada, and westwards across the boreal forests to Alaska. It winters primarily in South America, including in the Amazon basin.
This species inhabits deciduous and mixed forests across its range. It prefers mature forests with tall trees and an open understory. Bottomland forests, oak-hickory forests, maple-beech forests, and forests with pine or spruce are all potential habitat. The Red-eyed Vireo is generally absent from dense, shrubby areas.
Behavior
The Red-eyed Vireo is an active forager that searches for insects high up in the forest canopy. Caterpillars make up a large portion of its diet. It gleans insects while hopping along branches and sometimes hovers while searching leaves and branches.
This vireo is an avid nest builder. The female constructs a small hanging nest out of bark strips, leaves, grass, and other materials. She then lays 3-5 white eggs. Both parents help feed the hatchlings. Red-eyed Vireos may raise more than one brood per breeding season across their range.
Males sing persistently from high perches within their breeding territories. Their song consists of short phrases that are repeated monotonously for extended periods. The common song sounds like “preacher, preacher, preacher” or “here I am, where are you?”
Population and Conservation Status
The Red-eyed Vireo has an extremely large population estimated at 67 million individuals. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 28 million, with 79% living in the U.S. and Canada. Although still common, their numbers have declined by an estimated 53% between 1970 and 2014, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Habitat loss on the wintering grounds in South America is a potential contributor to declines.
Despite population declines, the Red-eyed Vireo is still one of the most abundant breeding birds across eastern North America. Its huge range and large population size has led the IUCN to list it as a species of Least Concern.
Where to See Red-eyed Vireos
The Red-eyed Vireo can be found across much of eastern North America in appropriate habitat during the spring and summer months. Here are some ideas for places to look for this species:
Northeastern States and Canada
– Green Mountains in Vermont
– Adirondack State Park in New York
– Berkshires in Massachusetts
– Acadia National Park in Maine
– Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario
Southeastern States
– Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina
– Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia
– Apalachicola National Forest in Florida
– Congaree National Park in South Carolina
Midwestern States
– Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota
– Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts
– Morton Arboretum in Illinois
– Cleveland Metroparks in Ohio
– Brown County State Park in Indiana
Western States
– Mount Rainier National Park in Washington
– Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon
– Flathead National Forest in Montana
– Black Hills in South Dakota
When to See Red-eyed Vireos
The best time to find Red-eyed Vireos is during the spring and summer months when they are actively breeding across North America. Peak viewing is typically between May and July. Arrive early in the morning when birds are most active and vocal. In winter they are resident across the extreme Southeastern U.S, Mexico, and the tropics.
| Months | Location |
|---|---|
| January-February | Tropics of South America |
| March-April | Migration through Central America and USA to breeding grounds |
| May-July | Breeding across Canada and USA |
| August-October | Fall migration back to wintering grounds |
| November-December | Tropics of South America |
Tips for Birding by Ear
The repetitive song of the Red-eyed Vireo makes it one of the easier species to identify by ear. Here are some tips for picking out its song:
– Learn the classic “preacher, preacher, preacher” song. Listen to recordings online to become familiar with it.
– Notice the short, distinct phrases repeated over and over. This monotonous song stands out from many other birds.
– Use bird song apps like Merlin Bird ID that allow you to sound ID an unfamiliar song. Apps can help confirm a Red-eyed Vireo.
– Pay attention to habitat. The Red-eyed Vireo sings from high up in deciduous and mixed forests.
– Time of year provides helpful context. These vireos are most vocal during breeding season from May-July.
– Be patient. Males sing persistently, so stick around to pinpoint the songster up in the canopy.
Attracting Red-eyed Vireos to Your Yard
You may be able to attract Red-eyed Vireos to your yard with the right habitat, especially if you live near their breeding range. Here are some tips:
– Avoid pruned yards with minimal foliage. Vireos prefer areas with dense trees.
– Plant native trees like oaks, maples, birch, beech, and hickories to mimic their natural habitat.
– Ensure the yard has tall trees for foraging high up. They rarely come to ground level.
– Eliminate pesky house sparrows which compete for nest sites.
– Put up nest boxes designed for vireos 10-20 feet high in trees.
– Provide water sources like bird baths or fountains.
– Supply native berry-producing shrubs like dogwood and viburnum.
– Limit use of pesticides which reduce their insect food source.
With appropriate habitat, you may be rewarded with a breeding pair nesting on your property!
Fun Facts
Here are a few interesting facts about the Red-eyed Vireo:
– The Red-eyed Vireo constructs a new nest every 7-10 days during the breeding season. They rarely reuse a nest.
– Males and females establish breeding territories as soon as they arrive back on their breeding grounds.
– Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding nestlings.
– One study found a Red-eyed Vireo nest containing 41 feet of spider silk!
– They prefer to forage high up, but will come to lower branches for bird feeders.
– Their eyes begin dark brown, then gradually change to a brilliant red during their first year.
– They are one of the most abundant breeding birds in eastern deciduous forests.
– West Nile Virus and brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds have impacted some populations.
– Alexander Wilson first described the Red-eyed Vireo in 1810.
Conclusion
With its monotonous song ringing through the treetops, the Red-eyed Vireo is a characteristic breeding bird across much of North America’s forests. Look and listen for these olive-green songsters with bold white spectacles high up in mature deciduous trees. Providing appropriate habitat may convince this energetic little vireo to make your yard part of its breeding territory. The Red-eyed Vireo remains a common species, but habitat loss on its wintering grounds should still be monitored. Protecting forests across the continent ensures this favorite backyard bird continues brightening our woodlands with its ruby eyes and persistent song.
