The chivi vireo is a small South American songbird in the family Vireonidae. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the red-eyed vireo. It is usually green to yellow-green in color with off-white underparts, and a gray crown. It has a whitish supercilium extending over its ear coverts, and its lores are dull gray in color. The chivi vireo has nine subspecies. It is found throughout most of northern, eastern and central South America, only being absent from southern Chile and southern Argentina. It inhabits multiple types of habitat across its range, and appears to adjust well to slightly disturbed habitat. The chivi vireo is mainly resident, but at least two of the subspecies inhabiting the south of its range are known to be migratory.
Region
South America
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from Colombia and Venezuela through the Guianas and Amazonia to Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina, with occurrence in western Ecuador and Peru. It is largely absent from southern Chile and the far south of Argentina. Habitats include lowland and foothill forests, woodland edges, gallery forests, and semi-open areas with scattered trees. It readily uses secondary growth and urban parks with sufficient canopy cover.
Altitude Range
0–2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The chivi vireo was recently split from the red-eyed vireo complex and comprises several subspecies across South America. It adapts well to lightly disturbed habitats and can be common in secondary growth and edges. Southern populations undertake seasonal movements, while most northern birds are year-round residents. Its persistent, short-phrase song is a familiar sound in many wooded areas.
A chivi vireo in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually forages alone or in pairs, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks. Pairs defend small territories during breeding. The nest is a neat cup suspended from a forked twig, where both parents attend the young.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Song is a persistent series of short, whistled phrases delivered at regular intervals, often from mid to upper canopy. Calls include soft chips and scolds when agitated.
Plumage
Olive to yellow-green upperparts with off-white underparts often washed pale yellow on the flanks; gray crown with contrasting pale supercilium and darker eye-line.
Diet
Primarily gleaning insects and other small arthropods from foliage and twigs. Also takes spiders and caterpillars, and occasionally hawks small prey in short sallies. Fruits and small berries are eaten more frequently outside the breeding season.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the mid to upper canopy of forests, woodland edges, and riverine strips. Readily uses secondary growth, shade trees, and urban parks with mature canopies.
