Documentation of White-eyed Vireo
2015-020

Observer Information

Reporter:  Steve Stachowiak  8766 S. Appletree Pl.,   HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO  80126-2148
E-mail:  smka2@q.com
Other Observers: 

Species, Date, Time and Location Information

Species:  White-eyed Vireo
First Date/Time:  5/23/2014 3:30:00 PM
Last Date/Time:  5/23/2014 3:40:00 PM
Duration (total time in view):  ~10 minutes
County:  Arapahoe
Specific Location:  Peoria, Colorado (I-70 & Peoria Rd)
Number:  1
Age:  Adult
Sex:  Male
Plumage:  Breeding

Habitat

Juniper hedge row

Viewing Conditions

Optics:  Swift Audubon 8.5 X 44
Distance:  10 yards
Light:  cloudy day

Description of the Bird

This is to establish the first county record for this species.

The bird was first found by Gene Rutherford and Phil Gerkin in the long juniper grove that is just south of the abandon race track at I-70 & Peoria Road.  I think that they may have first observed the bird on or about May 10th and it remained at least to when I observed it on May 23rd.

A recording of White-eyed Vireo was played and the bird appeared soon after singing in response to the recording.  I stopped the recording and the bird continued to sing strongly at first and then sporadically.  The bird had a typical chunky vireo build.  The head was gray down to the nape with an olive wash on the crown.  The eye had a white iris and was surrounded by yellow spectacles the extended to the base of the short thick black bill.  Just below the yellow between the eye and the bill was a black smudged line.  The back was uniform olive that extended down to the upper tail coverts.  The tail was olive/gray.  The throat was white that became a dirty white in the upper chest area giving way to a clean white down through the belly.  The wing coverts were black with two white wingbars.  The flight feathers had a olive/yellow edging when folded.  The flanks had a yellow wash that extended down to the under tail coverts.  The legs were a dark gray.

Similar Species Discussion

A Yellow-throated Vireo has yellow spectacles but the iris is not white and the throat and upper chest are yellow.  A Blue-headed Vireo has white spectacles and the iris is not white.  A Thick-billed Vireo is similar in appearance but it is a rare vagrant to Florida, it has a thicker bill, and a white eye ring. 

Resources Used

None.  This species is fairly self evident.

Previous Experience

I have observed this species in Colorado and in the southeastern United States.

Notes

Notes made AFTER observation

Materials Available





No files uploaded.

Date Documentation Submitted

2/17/2015 12:03:00 AM

Location Map

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