The warbling vireo is a small North American songbird.
Region
North America
Typical Environment
Breeds widely across much of the United States and southern Canada, favoring deciduous woodlands, riparian corridors, and mature parks and orchards. Winters from Mexico through Central America in similar leafy habitats. Most common in areas with tall shade trees where it forages high in the canopy. Often associated with streamside cottonwoods and willows in the West and mixed hardwoods in the East.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The warbling vireo is a small North American songbird known for its continuous, melodious warble delivered from high in the canopy. It often nests in riparian trees like willows and cottonwoods and is a frequent host of Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism. Eastern and western populations differ subtly in song and appearance, leading to recognized subspecies groups.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with fairly direct, agile flight between canopy perches
Social Behavior
Typically forms monogamous pairs during the breeding season. Both sexes help build a hanging cup nest in a forked branch and feed the young. Outside breeding, it may join mixed-species foraging flocks during migration.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A smooth, rolling series of musical warbles delivered in long, continuous phrases from high in the canopy. Calls are soft chips and twitters; the song is sweet and fluid without harsh notes.
