Black-capped Vireo

This is a tiny body feather from a small, energetic songbird. The Black-capped Vireo is distinguished by its jet-black hood (in males) or slate-gray hood (in females), contrasting white 'spectacles' around the eyes, and olive-green back with yellowish flanks. They are roughly 4.5 inches long with a 7-inch wingspan.

Base is a neutral grayish-brown transitioning to a pale yellow or olive-green wash at the distal tip; the color is melanin-based with some carotenoid influence for the yellow.

Mixed structure; pennaceous at the distal tip for color display and plumulaceous at the proximal base for insulation; barbs appear loose and soft.

Rachis is very thin, translucent, and flexible; barbs are densely packed at the base (downy) and more organized toward the tip without distinct banding.

Silky and soft; the pennaceous portion is matte, while the plumulaceous portion is fluffy and lofted for heat retention.

Likely from the flank or lower breast, determined by the high proportion of downy (plumulaceous) barbs at the base and the subtle olive-yellow wash on the tip.

Diminutive size, olive-yellow tint at the tip, and a long, fluffy downy base (afterfeather area) characteristic of small temperate-migratory songbirds.

Found in rangelands with scattered, low-growing deciduous shrubs and trees, specifically oak-juniper scrub and brushy ravines.

Breeds in central and northern Texas, southern Oklahoma, and northern Mexico (Coahuila); migrates to the Pacific slope of western Mexico for winter.

Insectivorous predator that helps control beetle and caterpillar populations; serves as an indicator species for the health of scrub-oak ecosystems.

White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) and Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii) have similar body feathers, but the specific olive-yellow saturation often helps distinguish the Black-capped.

The Black-capped Vireo was one of the first species to benefit significantly from targeted Brown-headed Cowbird management, as they are frequent victims of brood parasitism.

No traditional commercial use due to size; historically significant as a symbol of conservation success in the United States Endangered Species Act history.

Finding these feathers is difficult due to their size; look in low scrubby brush during the late summer molt (July-August) in known nesting territories in Texas.

Fair to Good; shows some signs of handling and slight matting of the downy barbs from being taped or mounted on cardstock.