Forest and Rangeland Birds of the United States

Natural History and Habitat Use

Black-whiskered Vireo -- Vireo altiloquus


RANGE: Breeds in central and southern Florida and on islands in the Caribbean; winters in South America.

STATUS: Common within much of its limited United States range.

HABITAT: Lives mostly in mangroves along the coasts of Florida and the Florida Keys.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Dense mangroves.

NEST: Suspends deep cup nest between twigs (usually in red mangroves but occasionally in other trees or shrubs) as high as 15 feet above the ground or water.

FOOD: Gleans food, primarily spiders, from foliage. Also eats insects, fruits of barberries, and ragweed seeds.

REFERENCES: Bent 1950, Chapin 1925, Sykes in Farrand 1983c, Terres 1980.


Previous Section -- Family Vireonidae
Return to Family List
Return to Contents