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

I noticed that many of your previous papers cover the gray vireo, which your new study quantifies as a “drab,” understudied bird.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2025

Once teetering on extinction, the least Bell’s vireo is making a comeback in areas along the Los Angeles River, including a bustling park in northeast L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2024

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

PLF’s attorneys have sued on behalf of the Texas Farm Bureau to strip protections from a small bird called the black-capped vireo.

From The Guardian • Oct. 21, 2019

So we bade her adieu, and went in pursuit of a solitary vireo, just then overheard singing not far off.

From A Rambler's lease by Torrey, Bradford