Blue-headed Vireo
Vireo solitarius
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyVireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
- GenusVireo (Vireos)
- SpeciesVireo solitarius (Blue-headed Vireo)
About the Blue-headed Vireo
The blue-headed vireo (Vireo solitarius) is a migratory songbird found in North and Central America. There are currently two recognized subspecies that belong to the blue-headed vireo. It has a range that extends across Canada and the eastern coast of the United States, Mexico, and some of Central America. It prefers large temperate forests with a mix of evergreen trees and deciduous under growth.
As the name suggests, the blue-headed vireo is characterized by its blue-grey head and bold yellow wing bars. Both sexes are very similar in plumage and size. Juveniles also have a similar plumage. Populations of the blue-headed vireo have been steadily increasing since the 1970s. Therefore, in 2004, the species was classified as a "Least Concern" species.
The blue-headed vireo has similar plumage year round and does not drastically change its appearance during the breeding season. It can be characterized by its olive green upper body, two bold yellow wing bars down the edge of its wing, and a deep blue-grey crown from which it gets its name. The juvenile plumage of immature blue-headed vireos is not distinct but very similar to the adult plumage. While this bird's appearance... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Tikal National Park
White-eyed Vireo
Vireo griseus
Yellow-throated Vireo
Vireo flavifrons
Mangrove Vireo
Vireo pallens
Red-eyed Vireo
Vireo olivaceus
Yellow-green Vireo
Vireo flavoviridis
Philadelphia Vireo
Vireo philadelphicus
Warbling Vireo
Vireo gilvus
Lesser Greenlet
Hylophilus decurtatus
Tawny-crowned Greenlet
Hylophilus ochraceiceps
Green Shrike-Vireo
Vireolanius pulchellus
Rufous-browed Peppershrike
Cyclarhis gujanensis
Brown Jay
Psilorhinus morio
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Blue-headed Vireo in Tikal National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Blue-headed Vireo sighting in Tikal National Park, based on 18 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Blue-headed Vireo in Tikal National Park?
December has the highest sighting rate for Blue-headed Vireo in Tikal National Park in our monthly data.