ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Red-eyed Vireo

 Red-eyed Vireo

red-eyed vireo

The Vireo family is a small group of forest dwelling, sparrow-sized birds. They are plainly colored with most having white underparts. The bill is rather stout compared to that of warblers. Vireos feed by gleaning insects from tree leaves. Although rather sluggish birds, they are very persistent singers.
 

Red-eyed Vireo
Vireo olivaceus

At-a-Glance

• Incubation: 11-14 days

• Clutch Size: 2-5 eggs

• Young Fledge: 10-12 days after hatching

• Typical Foods: insects and fruit
Description
The identifying marks of this species are a broad white eye-stripe bordered with black, and a red eye that is hard to see. Coloring is that of a typical vireo -- olive-green above with a white underside. It lacks wing bars and spectacles.

Habitat and Habits
One of the most common birds breeding in our deciduous forests, the song of the red-eyed vireo is a very common sound of the summer woodlands. Red-eyed vireos are chronic singers, often singing 40 phrases a minute for hours on end. Their song is a series of robin-like phrases interspersed with pauses - see-me, here-I-am, way-up, tree-tops! The birds sing from dawn to dusk, even on the hottest days.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
The nest is a thin-walled hanging cup made of plant material and covered with lichens. It is attached to the fork of two tree limbs and will contain two to five white eggs, sparsely spotted with brown.