White-Eyed Vireo
Vireo griseus
In summer, these birds range north to southern New England and west to Iowa, but retreat south in winter to the southeast USA and the gulf coast of Mexico. Both males and females sing in winter, but the summer singers are male.
Science recognises six subspecies of White-Eyed Vireo, and divides these into two groups:
- Veracruz Group:
- V. g. perquisitor which lives in Mexico in the regions of Puebla and Veracruz.
- White-Eyed Group:
- V. g. noveboracensis breeds in the eastern USA and winters in southern Mexico and Central America.
- V. g. griseus breeds in the southeastern states in the USA and winters in southern Mexico and Central America.
- V. g. maynardi is resident in south Florida.
- V. g. bermudianus is resident in Bermuda.
- V. g. micrus is resident in south Texas and northeast Mexico.
I met my first White-Eyed Vireo in the spring of 2020 while on my first trip to Texas. The singing of loud songs from dense thickets attracted my attention, but the singer remained mostly out of my view, frustrating my attempts to capture a photograph. I eventually learned this behavior is typical for the species. In 2021 and again in 2022, while enjoying my second and third expeditions to Texas, I found more of these birds, and some were just a little more cooperative.
29 Photos

White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: I met this species in many of the Texas locations I visited, but here at Atascosa were some of my best encounters. I drove to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast on Friday and spent the afternoon meeting new birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:20 11:44 |
Location:
Laguna Atscosa NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D506157-LagunaAtascosa |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: I met this species in many of the Texas locations I visited, but here at Atascosa were some of my best encounters. I drove to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast on Friday and spent the afternoon meeting new birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:20 11:44 |
Location:
Laguna Atscosa NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D506167-LagunaAtascosa |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: I met this species in many of the Texas locations I visited, but here at Atascosa were some of my best encounters. I drove to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast on Friday and spent the afternoon meeting new birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:20 11:46 |
Location:
Laguna Atscosa NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/8000 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D506183-LagunaAtascosa |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: I met this species in many of the Texas locations I visited, but here at Atascosa were some of my best encounters. I drove to Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast on Friday and spent the afternoon meeting new birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:20 13:58 |
Location:
Laguna Atscosa NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/2000 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D506579-LagunaAtascosa |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: This bird has captured a green worm on the Honey Mesquite Tree. I met this species in many of the Texas locations I visited, but here at Atascosa were some of my best encounters. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:20 13:59 |
Location:
Laguna Atscosa NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/2500 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D506587-LagunaAtascosa |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: I met this species in many of the Texas locations I visited, but here at Atascosa were some of my best encounters. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:20 14:00 |
Location:
Laguna Atscosa NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/1600 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D506619-LagunaAtascosa |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: I met this species in many of the Texas locations I visited, but here at Atascosa were some of my best encounters. Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge on the South Texas Coast. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:20 14:02 |
Location:
Laguna Atscosa NWR |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/6.3, 1/3200 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D506644-LagunaAtascosa |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: Another bird I met on my bike ride along the San Felipe Creek in Del Rio Texas, was this vireo. Eventually I learned these birds were present in many of the locations I would be visiting. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:09 15:53 |
Location:
San Felipe Creek |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D508311-DelRioTexas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: Another bird I met on my bike ride along the San Felipe Creek in Del Rio Texas, was this vireo. Eventually I learned these birds were present in many of the locations I would be visiting. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:09 15:53 |
Location:
San Felipe Creek |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D508313-DelRioTexas |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: These birds have proven very tricky to photograph. I was at a rest stop/picnic area just south of Quemado Texas next to US-277 proved to be a fuitful location to meet new birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:10 10:09 |
Location:
Normandy |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 390 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D508353-Quemado-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: These birds have proven very tricky to photograph. I was at a rest stop/picnic area just south of Quemado Texas next to US-277 proved to be a fuitful location to meet new birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:10 10:10 |
Location:
Normandy |
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 390 mm, f/8.0, 1/320 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D508375-Quemado-TX |
© 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: I understand these vireos haunt south Texas all year, but they are more outgoing in spring than in winter. My early morning visit to Palmito Hill, southeast of Brownsville, began in a heavy fog. By mid-day the weather improved only slightly to overcast skies. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:26 9:18 |
Location:
Palmito Hill |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/500 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D5X4641-PalmitoHill-TX |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: White-Eyed Vireos are often skulking birds, but I managed to catch a couple of clear shots this morning. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:19 9:06 |
Location:
Sabal Palm Sanctuary |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D5X3450-SabalPalmSanctuary |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: White-Eyed Vireos are often skulking birds, but I managed to catch a couple of clear shots this morning. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:19 9:08 |
Location:
Sabal Palm Sanctuary |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D5X3463-SabalPalmSanctuary |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: White-Eyed Vireos are often skulking birds, but I managed to catch a couple of clear shots this morning. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:19 9:08 |
Location:
Sabal Palm Sanctuary |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D5X3459-SabalPalmSanctuary |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: South Texas is one place where White-Eyed Vireos remain year round. Tuesday's all day visit to capture images at the SPI Convention Centre was fruitful. The folks I met were great, and the birds were amazing. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:30 12:55 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D5X7570-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: South Texas is one place where White-Eyed Vireos remain year round. Tuesday's all day visit to capture images at the SPI Convention Centre was fruitful. The folks I met were great, and the birds were amazing. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:30 11:00 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D5X7399-SPI_ConventionCenter |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: Most of the White-Eyed Vireos I’ve met in Texas have been elusive. Not so with this bird. I suspect it has travelled from further south and is on its way much further to the north. April on South Padre Island provides me with close encounters like no other place I’ve ever visited. By most experienced birders here, it will only get better in the coming weeks. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:04 9:43 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D5X0333-SPI_ConvCtr |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: Most of the White-Eyed Vireos I’ve met in Texas have been elusive. Not so with this bird. I suspect it has travelled from further south and is on its way much further to the north. April on South Padre Island provides me with close encounters like no other place I’ve ever visited. By most experienced birders here, it will only get better in the coming weeks. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:04 10:11 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D5X0477-SPI_ConvCtr |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: Most of the White-Eyed Vireos I’ve met in Texas have been elusive. Not so with this bird. I suspect it has travelled from further south and is on its way much further to the north. April on South Padre Island provides me with close encounters like no other place I’ve ever visited. By most experienced birders here, it will only get better in the coming weeks. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:04 10:11 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D5X0464-SPI_ConvCtr |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: Most of the White-Eyed Vireos I’ve met in Texas have been elusive. Not so with this bird. I suspect it has travelled from further south and is on its way much further to the north. April on South Padre Island provides me with close encounters like no other place I’ve ever visited. By most experienced birders here, it will only get better in the coming weeks. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:04 11:46 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D5X1063-SPI_ConvCtr |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: Most of the White-Eyed Vireos I’ve met in Texas have been elusive. Not so with this bird. I suspect it has travelled from further south and is on its way much further to the north. April on South Padre Island provides me with close encounters like no other place I’ve ever visited. By most experienced birders here, it will only get better in the coming weeks. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:04 9:43 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D5X0350-SPI_ConvCtr |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: Busy vireo. With a momentary lull in warbler migration on South Padre Island, I paid my admission to the Birds and Nature Center to attempt catching subjects that don’t make many appearances at the Convention Centre. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:08 9:36 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D5X2116-SPI_ConventionCtr |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: Some White-Eyed Vireos winter in south Texas, but this bird came from further south. Sunday was the 2nd day of the great warbler fallout, but unlike Saturday’s expedition, the sun shone through to light her subjects. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:18 15:53 |
Location:
Convention Center |
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1500 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_D5X8568-SPI_ConventionCtr |
© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: White-Eyed Vireos haunt thorn forests in south Texas and seem to feel safe while hidden within the dense foliage. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:20 9:22 |
Location:
Quinta Mazatlan |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_8504817-QuintaMazatlan |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: White-Eyed Vireos haunt thorn forests in south Texas and seem to feel safe while hidden within the dense foliage. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:20 9:22 |
Location:
Quinta Mazatlan |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_8504821-QuintaMazatlan |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: White-Eyed Vireos are most commonly found in the southeastern USA, where they may migrate north to the Mason-Dixon line, but in south Texas, they can be found year-round. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:22 10:01 |
Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refu |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_8505352-SantaAna.NWR_ |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: White-Eyed Vireos are most commonly found in the southeastern USA, where they may migrate north to the Mason-Dixon line, but in south Texas, they can be found year-round. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:22 10:03 |
Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refu |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_8505361-SantaAna.NWR_ |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |


White-Eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus) |
Description: White-Eyed Vireos are most commonly found in the southeastern USA, where they may migrate north to the Mason-Dixon line, but in south Texas, they can be found year-round. |
Date Taken: 2022:09:22 11:32 |
Location:
Santa Ana National Wildlife Refu |
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: WhiteEyedVireo_8505708-SantaAna.NWR_ |
© 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |

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