Geography/Habitat:

The Hutton’s Vireo, (Vireo huttoni), was first described by John Cassin, an American ornithologist in 1851 in Monterey California and is a member of the family Vireonidae. It is named after William Rich Hutton, a noted land surveyor. There are at least 11 subspecies, which are split into two groups Pacific and Interior

Hutton’s Vireo is regarded as non-migratory, (some movement within the range exists), and is found from extreme Southwest Canada south through Western US South to California. Separate populations exist in Arizona and New Mexico south into Western Mexico and Central America, another from West Texas running down through Central Mexico and beyond and an isolated population West-Central Texas.

It is found primarily in the understory of pine, spruce, fir and evergreen oak forests at low to mid elevations. In Winter often forages with other species.

Breeding season is variable with location starting in February in California but typically March/April elsewhere running through to August. Three to five white eggs spotted brown are laid in a hanging cup shaped nest made of grass and twigs and lined with moss and feathers. The eggs are incubated for 14 days by both parents. The chicks fledge 15 days later being fed by the parents for a further 6 days. Note Hutton’s Vireos are monogamous.

Hutton’s Vireos eat small insects and spiders with some berries in Winter. These are gleaned from twigs and leaves, but they will hawk insects occasionally.

Identification

Hutton’s vireos are small and superficially resemble Ruby Crowned Kinglets. They are very active and flick their wings like a kinglet but note the bulky hooked bill. Olive green above with white around eye extending to the bill. Upper wing is dark with two white wing bars and some brighter olive on the primaries. Underparts are buffy to drab olive. Note the distinctive rounded shape of the head.

The Hutton’s Vireos song is a mix rising whistles, its call a rising “zeet” and will often scold loudly.

Fun Facts

• Active Forest Management practices appear to be helping the Hutton’s population in some areas as it leads to secondary undergrowth development of shrubby hardwoods expanding its preferred habitat.

• The two subspecies groups - Pacific and Interior, might be split into two species with DNA study showing marked differences

• A group of vireos is known as a call.