Vireo (genus)

Vireo (genus)

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Vireo are a genus of small passerine birds restricted to the New World. They typically have dull greenish plumage (hence the name, from Latin virere, "to be green"), but some are brown or gray on the back and some have bright yellow underparts. They resemble wood warblers apart from their slightly larger size and heavier bills, which in most species have a very small hook at the tip. The legs are stout.

Species fall into two plumage groups: one with wing-bars and yellow or white eye-rings, and one with unmarked wings and eye-stripes, except that the Chocó Vireo has wing-bars and eye-stripes.

Sexes are alike except that the male Black-capped Vireo's crown is black and the female's is gray.