| |
Bird Photos: Rarities: Blue-headed Vireo at Mendoza
Ranch
Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County,
CA
This Blue-headed Vireo was found by George Griffith
on 10/1/04 at the Mendoza (B) Ranch, Point Reyes National Seashore.
This species was conspecific with the Plumbeous Vireo and Cassin's
Vireo as Solitary Vireo until their recent split. Blue-headed
Vireos are an eastern species and are rare in the west. Plumbeous
Vireo is a western species but is rare west of the Sierra Nevadas.
Our "Solitary" Vireo is the Cassin's.
| |
 |
|
 |
|
I took one group from my Palo Alto Baylands
birding class to the outer Point Reyes on 10/2/04. With
the help of other birders who were already looking at the
vireo, we were able to follow it through the bank of cypresses
just north of the cattle guard at Mendoza Ranch (B). It
foraged quite actively and seemed to maintain the company
of a Chestnut-sided
Warbler.
|
| |
|
|
|
The dark gray head and contrasting edge along
the cheeks really set this apart from our more common Cassin's
Vireo. The brightness of the flanks and ventral area along
with the bluish-gray hood made this vireo species quite
colorful.
It seemed to call occasionally; unfortunately,
I did not take notes on the call. It might have been what's
described as a husky chatter (eNature
website - sorry, no recording of the call at this website). |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
I include this image taken of a Cassin's
Vireo at Stevens Creek Park, Santa Clara County, for comparison.
The image was taken in spring, on 5/26/97, so the comparison
may not be ideal.
The head is not as dark and, consequently,
the contrast is not as strong at the cheek. This is a fairly
bright Cassin's Vireo. |
| |
|
|
|
 |
PLEASE DO NOT DOWNLOAD ANY
IMAGE WITHOUT ACQUIRING
PERMISSION TO DO SO. You may create links to these pages.
All images on this page are copyrighted by Les Chibana.
If you'd like to contact me about images on these pages,
grab the pigeon on the left and send a note. |
|
|
|
|
