Bell's
VireoBell's Vireo -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 4.75 inches | Wingspan: 7.5 inches | Seasonality: Summer |
| ID Keys: Generally plain, with dull wing bars, weak eye-ring, greenish-gray back, white to yellow underparts. | ||
Bell's
Vireo
Vireo bellii
Often heard but not seen, the Bell's Vireo is often heard singing its repetitive, jumbled song from low brushy thickets. They are unfortunately very common victims of Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism, and are in decline in many regions.
Habitat: Prefers low, bushy growth, including forest undergrowth, streamside thickets, woodland edges, and brushy fields.
Diet: Primarily feeds on insects. They have a preference for large insects such as caterpillars, wasps, and certain beetles. They also will feed on spiders, and occasionally on berries.
Nesting: June and July
Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey map
Song: Bell's Vireo Song
Migrations: Summer in the Great Plains, parts of the Midwest, and parts of the Southwest. Winters in Mexico and southward.
Similar Species: White-eyed Vireo, Gray Vireo
Status: Populations in the southwestern U.S. are generally stable, but Bell's Vireo are declining in the Midwest and southern Plains, and are endangered in California.
Further Information: 1) Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Bell's Vireo
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Bell's Vireo"
3) eNature.com -- Bell's Vireo
Photo Information: July 29th, 2007 - Near Oahe Dam by Pierre - Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional photos of this species.
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| South Dakota Status: Common migrant and summer resident in the south, especially along the Missouri River and its tributaries. |
Proud Member Of:
Range Map Reference: NatureServe
Click here for other references used to compile this page
Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
