I spotted it in the oak tree near the water feature. The western subspecies of Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus swainsoni) traveling south on its fall migration. As stated in an earlier post, this was a new yard bird for me and I was thrilled to have it visit. Click on photos for full sized images.
Many times these somewhat plain Vireos are heard rather than seen. They have several distinctive calls described by a birding friend of mine as “asking a question”.
The presence of tall, primarily deciduous trees appears to be a requirement of breeding habitat. They breed in large deciduous trees, roadside tree belts, mature riparian woodlands, orchards, scattered trees in cultivated areas, on hillsides, by lakes and streams, and along canyons.
The nest is in a tree, usually high up in a horizontal twig fork, well out on a branch in the canopy. Usually 20 to 60 feet up, occasionally lower, and in the west frequently lower, sometimes in shrubs down to 4 feet2.
Their nest is a rough, rounded, hanging cup bound to twigs at its rim. Made of hair, long grasses, threads of string, bark strips, plant down and lichen, bound with spider’s webs2.
I am pleased to show you a photo of the nest from a new Flickr contact of mine, Jerry Ting. Click on the nest photo to see the full sized image at Jerry’s photostream.
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus swainsoni) photo by Larry Jordan
Warbling Vireo
Warbling Vireos have a broad breeding distribution occupying a variety of deciduous forest habitats, predominantly riparian1.
Warbling Vireo in Nest by Jerry Ting
As I sat near the pond with my camera, the bird began approaching.
Warbling Vireo
It flew down ever closer…
Warbling Vireo Taking Off
curious about me and probably wanting a drink…
Warbling Vireo
until it was right in front of me, giving me an excellent view.
Warbling Vireo
To see more great bird photos, check out The Bird D’pot and Wild Bird Wednesday!
References: 1Birds of North America Online; 2Baicich, Paul J. and Harrison, Colin J. O. (2005). Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. (Second Edition). Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press
Larry Jordan
Larry Jordan is an avid birder and amateur photographer living on the Pacific Flyway near the Central Valley of Northern California. He is a board member of his local Audubon Society and is a bird and wildlife conservationist. Larry contributes to several wildlife conservation organizations and is a BirdLife International "Species Champion." He is also Habitat Manager for the Burrowing Owl Conservation Network, an organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Western Burrowing Owl population in the United States. Larry has been blogging about birds since September of 2007 at TheBirdersReport.com
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