The Puerto Rican vireo is a small bird endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico and one of the 31 species belonging to the genus Vireo of the family Vireonidae. Its local name is bien-te-veo, not to be confused with the unrelated great kiskadee - also known as bien-te-veo - which is found elsewhere.
Region
Caribbean
Typical Environment
Occurs across the main island of Puerto Rico and nearby islands such as Vieques, Culebra, and Mona. It inhabits a range of wooded habitats including coastal scrub, dry forest (e.g., Guánica), moist and montane forests (e.g., El Yunque), second growth, and shade coffee plantations. Prefers thickets, forest edges, and mid-story to canopy layers where foliage is dense. Often persists in fragmented landscapes provided there is adequate shrub and tree cover.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Endemic to the Puerto Rican archipelago, this small vireo is locally called bien-te-veo for its insistent, whistled song. It builds a delicate cup nest suspended from a forked branch, which has made it vulnerable to brood parasitism by the shiny cowbird in some areas. Despite pressures, it remains fairly adaptable, using dry forests, montane forests, and shade coffee. It helps control insect populations by gleaning caterpillars and other arthropods from foliage.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief, direct flights
Social Behavior
Typically seen alone or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Forms monogamous pairs that build a hanging cup nest in a forked branch. Clutch sizes are small; nests can be heavily parasitized by shiny cowbirds in some localities. Outside breeding, may loosely associate with mixed-species flocks while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A repetitive, clear series of whistled phrases that locals interpret as bien-te-veo. Calls include sharp scolds and chatters when alarmed, with deliberate pacing typical of vireos.
