11:05 AM
A very uncommon visitor east of the Mississippi River, the Bell's Vireo is a small vireo that forages and nests along riparian habitat. They are usually found in the Great Plains in the summer and winter in Mexico. The Least Bell's Vireo is an endangered subspecies in southern California. The encroachment of grassland and parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds are the main reasons for its endangerment. The song of the Bell's Vireo is a distinct loud, jerky, unmusical set of phrases and notes. I was able to get a recording of his song you can hear at the bottom of this post.
The Bell's Vireo has a gray head with faint white spectacles, yellow-green on the back, and a yellow wash to the belly. They also have one prominent wing bar and a slightly fainter one above it. This bird was found at the landfill and this is the third year in a row that one has been seen out there. I'm not sure why they keep showing up out there but I'm glad they do. :)
***UPDATE*** - He was back again today and I was able to get some audio of him singing. Try to tune out the Song Sparrow and trucks in the background.
The Bell's Vireo has a gray head with faint white spectacles, yellow-green on the back, and a yellow wash to the belly. They also have one prominent wing bar and a slightly fainter one above it. This bird was found at the landfill and this is the third year in a row that one has been seen out there. I'm not sure why they keep showing up out there but I'm glad they do. :)
***UPDATE*** - He was back again today and I was able to get some audio of him singing. Try to tune out the Song Sparrow and trucks in the background.
Posted in: Bell's Vireo
