vireo

American  

[vir-ee-oh] / ˈvɪr iˌoʊ /

noun

• vireos
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• vireos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of vireo

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vireo vireos

A rather plain but sweet-looking species called the Philadelphia vireo wasn’t studied a single time during this 55-year period, according to the analysis.

From Salon ● Apr. 23, 2025

He pointed to other examples of successful animal control programs, including trapping brown-headed cowbirds to benefit the least bell’s vireo, a small endangered bird.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 11, 2025

A yellow-throated vireo and a cedar waxwing also splashed in our stream.

From Washington Post ● May 30, 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

The Ipswich sparrow was the third such bird that I had seen during the year without going out of New England, the other two being the Tennessee warbler and the Philadelphia vireo.

From A Rambler's lease by Bradford Torrey

"The density of migratory warblers, flycatchers, and vireos crowded into these five forests is astounding, and means that each hectare protected there safeguards a disproportionate number of birds."

From Science Daily ● Nov. 22, 2025

I regularly overhear other birders marveling over the flashy warblers in breeding plumage, while overlooking other comparatively less-flashy birds like vireos and sparrows.

From Salon ● Apr. 23, 2025

But birds that are more sensitive to temperatures — and those whose prey can’t stand the heat — might suffer under persistent warming, such as yellow warblers and Bell’s vireos.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2024

The arrival of warblers, vireos and other colorful birds last week has excited Britain’s twitching community — enthusiastic bird-watchers who will travel long distances to view new or unusual species.

From New York Times ● Sep. 27, 2023

The vireos twitter as they carry food to their nestlings.

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George