©Allan Hopkins: Black-whiskered Vireo (Vireo altiloquus) showing the distinctive black whisker down the neck
Colours
Distinguishing features
The adult black-whiskered vireo has dull olive-green upperparts and white underparts, with yellowish on the flanks and under the tail. It has red eyes and a grey-brown crown with faint dusky edges. There is a dark line through the eyes and a white eyebrow stripe. There is a distinctive black line (the “whisker”) on the neck sides. It has thick blue-grey legs and a stout bill.
Juvenile birds are similar, but have brown-red eyes. (Wikipedia)
Size
- From 14 cm to 15 cm (Length of specimen) - applies to Adults
Wingspan
- Up to 26 cm and averaging 25 cm
Synonyms
Similar taxa
-
Animalia:
Red-eyed Vireo (species: Vireo olivaceus)
Vireo altiloquus is duller and browner above than Vireo olivaceus, and is best distinguished by the black whisker mark.
Distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
It breeds in southern Florida, USA, and the West Indies as far south as the offshore islands of Venezuela.
It is a partial migrant, with northern birds wintering from the Greater Antilles to northern South America. It has occurred as a rare vagrant to Costa Rica.
The breeding habitat is open deciduous wooded areas and cultivation, and in Florida also mangroves. (Wikipedia)
Audio recordings
Diet
It gleans insects from tree foliage, sometimes hovering while foraging. It will also eat small quantities of berries. (Wikipedia)
