- Vireo atricapilla
Identification
12 cm
Male
- Olive green above
- White below
- Faint yellow flanks
- Black crown and upper half of the head
- Partial white eye-ring and lores
- Brownish-red iris
- Black bill
Female is duller with slate grey crown, greenish yellow underparts
First year males are intermediate in colouration between adult males and females.
Distribution
Oklahoma to northern Mexico. Extirpated from Kansas.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Status
The Black-capped Vireo is listed as an Endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism is a major problem.
Habitat
Scrublands with scattered clumps of shrubs, separated by open grassland.
Behaviour
Breeding
Both sexes build the nest laying 3-4 eggs which are incubated for 14-17 days. The female broods the young, with the male providing the food. The young fledge after 10 to 12 days
These birds can produce more than one clutch in the breeding season. The male tends some or all of the fledglings, while the female re-nests (this may be with another male).
Diet
The diet includes beetles and caterpillars.
References
Wikipedia
