Noronha Vireo Vireo gracilirostris Scientific name definitions

Considered Near Threatened, the Noronha Vireo is one of just three native landbirds on the Brazilian territory of Fernando de Noronha, and has in the past sometimes been considered conspecific with the Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus). These two species clearly belong to the same superspecies, although the Noronha Vireo differs from the geographically closest subspecies of the Red-eyed Vireo in its overall much duller coloration, longer tail, longer and finer bill, and shorter primaries, as well as having brownish irides. The Noronha Vireo inhabits both forest and scrub, including gardens, and seems to have an unusually protracted breeding season. It remains reasonably common in the present day, but was presumably more widespread historically, prior to human colonization of the island.

14 cm; 11·5-25·1 g. Crown and upperparts dingy greyish-olive, becoming more greenish on lower back, rump and tail; brownish lores, buffy supercilium ; primaries and secondaries edged greenish on outer webs; throat and underparts dull buffy whitish; iris brownish; bill brownish-horn above and at tip, paler below; legs light bluish-grey. Differs from V. olivaceus (of race chivi) in much duller coloration, brownish iris, noticeably longer and finer bill, distinctly longer tail, and decidedly more rounded wing with shorter primary extension. Sexes alike. Juvenile has crown, back and secondary coverts rich rusty brown.

Island of Fernando de Noronha, off NE Brazil.

Food items identified in stomach contents include beetles (Coleoptera), Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, caddies flies (Trichoptera), probably also homopteran bugs. Some small fruits (Ulmaceae) taken. Forages widely, from treetops to ground level. Notably tame. In absence of competing passerine species, seems to have developed a wide variety of feeding techniques. More than other, closely related vireos, it hangs upside-down to glean from undersides of leaves and flowers ; also hawks for aerial prey. Sometimes uses its foot to hold prey in order to dismember it.

Song a melodious "weet a weet, chewegoo, whit, whit." Calls include "tschrrr", used in alarm, a scolding harsh "skeeur" and a high thin whistle. Bill-snapping in agonistic situations.