The San Andres vireo or St. Andrew vireo is a threatened species of vireo endemic to the Colombian island of San Andrés in the Caribbean, located off the east coast of Nicaragua. Due to habitat loss from the ever expanding population on these small islands, the species has now become limited to a few localities on the southern half of the island, but it is still common in some of these areas. It is found in most habitat types on the island.
Region
Caribbean
Typical Environment
Endemic to San Andrés Island, where it occupies a mosaic of habitats including coastal scrub, dry second-growth woodland, mangroves, thickets, and semi-urban gardens. It favors dense, shrubby vegetation and forest edges rather than closed canopy forest. The species has become more localized in the southern half of the island due to development. It can remain common where suitable low, tangled cover persists.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 120 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The San Andres vireo is confined to the small Colombian island of San Andrés and persists even in disturbed habitats like scrub, gardens, and mangroves. Urban expansion and habitat loss have fragmented its range to the island’s southern half. It builds a neat cup nest suspended in low shrubs or small trees. Its persistent, phrase-by-phrase song helps locate it in dense thickets.
Temperament
active and somewhat skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, remaining territorial through much of the year. Nests are cup-shaped and suspended in forks of shrubs or small trees; both sexes participate in nest building and incubation. Clutches are small, often 2–3 eggs, and pairs defend nesting areas vigorously.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A repetitive, phrase-by-phrase series of short notes typical of vireos, often delivered persistently from concealed perches. Calls include sharp chips and scolding buzzy notes when agitated.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with a gray-tinged head, whitish throat, and yellowish wash on the underparts. Subtle but visible pale wingbars and a faint pale eyebrow. Feathers are smooth and sleek, aiding a neat, compact appearance.
Diet
Primarily small insects and their larvae, including caterpillars, beetles, and flies, as well as spiders. It occasionally supplements its diet with small berries, especially in the dry season. Foraging is mostly by careful gleaning of leaves and twigs, with occasional hover-gleaning to pick prey from foliage.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense shrubs, hedgerows, mangrove edges, and low to mid-levels of second-growth woodland. Frequently forages along edges and in semi-urban gardens where native thickets remain.
