The black-capped vireo is a small bird native to the United States and Mexico. It was listed as an endangered species in the United States in 1987. It is the only Vireo that is sexually dichromatic. Recovery of the species' population contributed to its delisting in 2018. The IUCN lists the species as "near threatened."
Region
South-central United States and western Mexico
Typical Environment
Breeds primarily in central Texas and parts of Oklahoma in early-successional shrublands with patchy, low woody cover. It favors oak-shrub and oak-juniper mosaics with openings that provide both nesting and foraging sites. In winter it migrates to the Pacific slope of western Mexico, inhabiting thorn-scrub, tropical dry forest edges, and coastal scrub. The species avoids dense, closed-canopy forests and benefits from disturbances (fire, grazing) that maintain shrubby structure.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Black-capped Vireo is the only vireo with clear sexual dichromatism: males have a crisp black cap and bold white spectacles, while females wear a softer gray-olive cap. Once listed as endangered in the United States due to habitat loss and cowbird parasitism, targeted management led to its delisting in 2018. It still faces localized threats where shrubland succession is suppressed or parasitism resurges, and the IUCN currently assesses it as Near Threatened.
Temperament
secretive and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically forms monogamous pairs during the breeding season, with males singing from exposed perches to defend territories. Nests are neat, hanging cups placed low in shrubs, vulnerable to brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds. Outside the breeding season it may join mixed-species foraging flocks in shrubby and edge habitats.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
The male’s song is a lively sequence of sharp, variable phrases and slurred notes, delivered in irregular series from prominent perches. Calls include scolding chatters and crisp chips, useful for contact and alarm.
Plumage
Males show a sharp black cap and mask with bright white spectacles, olive-green upperparts, and whitish underparts with a yellow wash on the sides; females have a gray-olive cap and duller face pattern. Both sexes typically show two pale wing bars and faint dusky flanks streaking.
Diet
Primarily feeds on small insects and arachnids, including caterpillars, beetles, and leafhoppers gleaned from leaves and twigs. It occasionally hovers to pick prey from foliage and will sally short distances to catch flying insects. In the nonbreeding season it may supplement its diet with small berries when available.
Preferred Environment
Forages in low to mid-level shrub layers and along woodland edges with scattered openings. In winter it uses thorn-scrub and dry forest edges where insect prey is concentrated on sunlit foliage.
