For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Hi everyone! Here we are with yet another bird species to explore this morning. This is my first ever photo of a red-eyed vireo, and even though not the best, I am still very happy that I was able to get it this summer. They are small birds, just 4.7 to 5.1 inches (12 to 13cm) in length. They are a very common bird during the summer months mainly in eastern forest regions of N. America. But in Canada they nest from B.C. in the west and Northwest Territory of the north and across to the east coast.
In the U.S. they can be found from Washington and Oregon in the west down to eastern Texas and across to the east coast. They have an estimated breeding population of 180 million birds. They spend their winters in the Amazon basin. Their nests are built about 10 to 15 feet off the ground, built by the female, though the male brings nesting material. The female incubates the eggs and broods the young, while the male brings her food, both protect the nest and young.
The oldest known bird was 10 years and 2 months old when it was recaptured and released during banding operations. They eat a variety of insects, mostly harmful and 50% of their summer diet is caterpillars. During fall migration and winter, berries make up most of their diet. Each male sings 30 or more different songs and more than a total of 12,500 different songs have been recorded. They sing from before dawn until evening and will sing more than 20,000 times during that time. They acquire their red eye after their first year. A remarkable little bird! Hope you enjoyed this, have a great day and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
Β©2021 Steve McLeod.
Fascinating Steve and congratulations on getting its photo.
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Thank you so much Sheree!
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Congrats on the photo but for a guy to sing that much he must be doing some heavy drinking hence the red eye. The ugly side of nature revealedππΉπ€£πΉ
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Laughter helps you fly
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It could be drinking all that caterpillar guts that does it. He is an amazing singer and might just top the charts for birds!ππΉ
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Good stuff I’ve never seen one βΉβΉ
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They are heard a lot more than they are seen.
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I may have heard them I hear much more than I see ππ€£π
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Yep, these are heard a lot, and a lot, and a lot…ππ
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Well, this is my first vireo …so glad for the info ! βοΈβοΈππ»βοΈβοΈ
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Thank you!ππ»π·
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Fascinating post! It is always a delight to learn about another bird of the week. Thanks Steve and Muffin.
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So glad you are enjoying them Richard. Wish I had a lot more to share but only 3 left for this year. Have a great day enjoying the autumn scenery!ππΊπ
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