vireo

American  

[vir-ee-oh] / ˈvɪr iˌoʊ /

noun

plural

vireos

1. any of several small, insectivorous American birds of the family Vireonidae, having the plumage usually olive-green or gray above and white or yellow below.

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vireo British  

/ ˈvɪrɪəʊ /

noun

1. any insectivorous American songbird of the family Vireonidae, esp those of the genus Vireo, having an olive-grey back with pale underparts

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Etymology

Origin of vireo

1825–35; < New Latin; Latin vireō (Pliny), probably the greenfinch, derivative of virēre to be green

Example Sentences

One part of it originated from the experiences I’ve had studying a species — the gray vireo — that most people have never heard of.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2025

A River Partners analysis of the property found species including riparian woodrat, Swainson’s hawk, least Bell’s vireo, yellow warbler, sandhill crane and “an entire suite of neotropical migratory songbirds.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2024

Wrote Bob: “Red-eyed vireo becomes REVI. Snowy owl becomes, appropriately, SNOW. So, the Washington Commanders becomes, also appropriately, WACO. You have the power, so you can add the K.”

From Washington Post • Feb. 9, 2022

The song that Gary made the recording of did sound a bit like a bird called a brown-capped vireo.

From Slate • Nov. 20, 2021

More common in my region than the jay or the cardinal is the red-eyed vireo.

From The Meaning of Evolution by Schmucker, Samuel Christian