Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius Scientific name definitions

The Blue-headed Vireo name, formerly applied to one subspecies in the Solitary Vireo complex, now designates this recognized species, following the division of that group into three species (American Ornithologists' Union 1997 American Ornithologists' Union (1997). Forty-first Supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds. Auk 114:542–552. Close ). The split follows recent molecular genetic studies (Murray et al. 1994a Murray, B. W., W. B. McGillivray, J. C. Barlow, R. N. Beech, and C. Strobeck (1994). The Use of Cytochrome b Sequence Variation Estimation of Phylogeny in the Vireonidae. The Condor 96:1037–1054. Close , Johnson 1995a Johnson, N. K. (1995). Speciation in Vireos: 1. Macrogeographic Patterns of Allozymic Variation in the Vireo solitarius Complex in the Contiguous United States. The Condor 97:903-919. Close ) that demonstrated differences in well-recognized plumage types among Plumbeous (V. plumbeus), Cassin's (V. cassinii), and Blue-headed vireos.

The Blue-headed Vireo is widely distributed across Canada and at elevations above 400 m in the eastern United States. It is the only vireo within its range that makes extensive use of coniferous forests, although it also occupies deciduous habitats. Over most of the range of this species pairs are typically widely spaced. It prefers relatively mature and extensive forests, with an understory of shrubs and small trees where its nests are suspended well below the canopy. This vireo forages mainly at mid height in a forest, moving slowly among branches from which much of its food is secured. It is also adept at snatching insect prey from leaves and twigs while in flight.

Surveys suggest that this species has been increasing steadily in the past 4-5 decades (Sauer et al. 2011b Sauer, J. R., J. E. Hines, J. E. Fallon, K. L. Pardieck, Jr., D. J. Ziolkowski, and W. A. Link. 2011. The North American breeding bird survey, results and analysis 1966-2010 (Version 12.07.2011b). USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD, USA. Close ), perhaps because formerly logged forests are regenerating into acceptable habitat. Remote nesting habits and typically sparse populations in most areas, however, have hindered study of this bird. We have begun to explore foraging, breeding biology, habitat use, and behavior in some areas (James 1978b James, R. D. (1978). Pairing and Nest Site Selection in Solitary and Yellow-throated Vireos, with a Description of a Ritualized Nest Building Display. Canadian Journal of Zoology 56:1163-1169. Close , James 1979d James, R. D. (1979d). "The comparative foraging behavior of Yellow-throated and Solitary Vireos: the effect of habitat and sympatry." In The role of insectivorous birds in forest ecosystems., edited by J. G. Dickson and et al, 137-163. New York: Academic Press. Close , James 1981b James, R. D. (1981). Factors Affecting Variation in the Primary Song of North American Solitary Vireos (Aves: Vireonidae). Canadian Journal of Zoology 59:2001-2009. Close , James 1984c James, R. D. (1984). Structure, Frequency of Usage, and Apparent Learning in the Primary Song of the Yellow-throated Vireo, with Comparative Notes on Solitary Vireos (Aves: Vireonidae). Canadian Journal of Zoology 62:468-472. Close , Rabenold 1978 Rabenold, K. N. (1978). Foraging strategies, diversity, and seasonality in bird communities of Appalachian spruce-fir forests. Ecological Monographs 48:397-424. Close , Sabo 1980 Sabo, S. R. (1980). Niche and habitat relations in subalpine bird communities of the White Mountains of New Hampshire USA. Ecological Monographs 50:241-260. Close , Robinson and Holmes 1982 Robinson, S. K., and R. T. Holmes (1982). Foraging behavior of forest birds: the relationships among search tactics, diet, and habitat structure. Ecology 63:1918–1931. Close , Morton et al. 1998 Morton, E. S., B. J. M. Stutchbury, J. S. Howlett and H. W. Piper. (1998). Genetics monogamy in Blue-headed Vireos and a comparison with a sympatric vireo with extra-pair paternity. Behavioral Ecology 9:515-524. Close , Morton et al. 2010 Morton, E. S., B. J. M. Stutchbury and I. Chiver. (2010). Parental conflict and brood desertion by females in Blue-headed Vireos. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 64 (6):947-954. Close ), although more detailed studies would be fruitful.