vireo

noun

Etymology: From translingual Vireo (genus name), from Latin vireō (“to be green”).

1. Any of a number of small insectivorous passerine birds, of the genus Vireo, that have grey-green plumage.

   “The voices of male vireos are a constant in the spring woodland, providing background music to the longer, prettier songs of tanagers and thrushes. Vireos tend to sing in bursts interrupted by short or long pauses.”

   “Uniquely American, the vireos are a group of some 46 foliage-gleaning forest birds with uncertain family connections. Vireo species are about equally divided between North and South America, with one, the Black-whiskered Vireo, largely restricted to the West Indies. Several vireos make long migratory journeys; all are nocturnal migrants.”

2. Any bird of the family Vireonidae, which includes vireos, shrike-vireos, greenlets, and peppershrikes.

   “Family Vireonidae Vireos The vireos are slim grayish green birds that stay high up in the trees most of the time.”