From Opus

Photo by atricapillusLocation: Wichita Mountains, Oklahoma

Vireo atricapilla

[edit] 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.

[edit] Distribution

Oklahoma to northern Mexico. Extirpated from Kansas.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Habitat

Scrublands with scattered clumps of shrubs, separated by open grassland.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] 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).

[edit] Diet

The diet includes beetles and caterpillars.

[edit] References

Wikipedia

[edit] External Links