Plumbeous Vireo
Vireo plumbeus
The Plumbeous Vireo is a uniformly gray vireo of western pine and pinyon-juniper woodlands, lacking the olive-green tones seen in its eastern relative.
- Feather type
- Uniform gray back feathers; bold white spectacle feathers; two white wing-bar feathers
- Colours
- Overall gray plumage, bold white spectacles, white underparts, little to no yellow tone
- Bird size
- Sparrow-sized, ~14 cm
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Overview
Overview
The Plumbeous Vireo breeds in dry pine, pinyon-juniper, and mixed conifer woodlands across the interior western United States and into Mexico, wintering mainly in Mexico and Central America. It was formerly grouped with the Blue-headed and Cassin's Vireos as a single species known as the Solitary Vireo before being split based on differences in plumage and voice.
Its overall gray tone, lacking green or yellow highlights, is the clearest distinction from its eastern counterpart, the Blue-headed Vireo.
Identifying the Feather
Recognizing the Feathers
- Head & back feathers: uniform gray, with little to no contrast between head and back
- Face feathers: bold white spectacles formed by a white eyering and lores
- Underpart feathers: white, with minimal to no yellowish wash on the flanks
- Wing feathers: dark with two white wing bars, generally without a green or yellow edge
The near-total absence of green or yellow tones anywhere on the body, combined with bold white spectacles, separates this species from Blue-headed and Cassin's Vireos.
Plumage & Molt
Plumage
Sexes are alike, both showing overall gray plumage with bold white spectacles and white underparts largely lacking a yellow wash. Immatures are similar, perhaps slightly duller. There is no strong seasonal plumage change, with a single complete molt after breeding.
Habitat & Range
Habitat & Range
This vireo breeds in dry pine, pinyon-juniper, and mixed conifer woodland across the interior western United States, extending into the mountains of Mexico. It winters primarily in Mexico and parts of Central America.
Behavior & Field Notes
Behavior & Field Notes
Plumbeous Vireos forage in a slow, deliberate manner typical of vireos, gleaning insects from foliage in pine and pinyon-juniper canopy. Nests are cup-shaped and suspended from a forked branch. Its song consists of short, slow phrases with pauses, similar in cadence to the closely related Blue-headed and Cassin's Vireos.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Plumbeous Vireo different from the Blue-headed Vireo?
Plumbeous Vireo is uniformly gray with little to no green or yellow tones, while Blue-headed Vireo shows a clear contrast between a blue-gray head and an olive-green back with yellowish flanks.
Were these species once considered the same bird?
Yes, Plumbeous, Cassin's, and Blue-headed Vireos were formerly lumped together as a single species called the Solitary Vireo before being split based on plumage and vocal differences.
What habitat does this species prefer?
Dry pine, pinyon-juniper, and mixed conifer woodland across the interior western United States and Mexican mountains.
Does this species show any yellow in its plumage?
Very little to none; its underparts are mostly white without the yellowish flank wash seen in Blue-headed Vireo.
Plumbeous Vireo guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Plumbeous Vireo.
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