Costa Rica March 2022
Scientific classification
Domain:Eukaryota
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Passeriformes
Family:Vireonidae
Genus:Vireo
Species:V. philadelphicus
length 4.5–5 in (110–130 mm)
weight 12 g (0.42 oz)
wingspan8 in (200 mm)
wing65.4–70 mm (2.57–2.76 in)
tail 45–52 mm (1.8–2.0 in)
culmen 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in)
tarsus 16–17 mm (0.63–0.67 in)
The Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) is a small North American songbird in the vireo family (Vireonidae). "Vireo" is a Latin word referring to a green migratory bird, perhaps the female golden oriole, possibly the European greenfinch. The specific philadelphicus is for the city of Philadelphia. It is small, short-tailed, most similar to Warbling Vireo, but brighter: look for yellow wash on underparts, brightest on throat and undertail, and dark line through the eye that connects to base of bill. Dull individuals can be very difficult to distinguish from Warbling Vireo, but Warbling usually brightest yellow on flanks, not throat. Similar to Red-eyed Vireo but with shorter bill and yellower below. Breeds in deciduous forests, especially areas with younger trees including birches or aspens. Migrates through a variety of wooded and brushy habitats; winters in Central America. Song nearly identical to Red-eyed Vireo. Feeds on insects; especially caterpillars.
