Warbling Vireo
Learn to identify the Warbling Vireo by ear. Master the "If I see you I will seize you and I'll squeeze you till you squeal!" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.
What the Warbling Vireo sounds like
A small, plain-looking vireo whose rich, cheerful warble is a familiar sound in leafy deciduous canopies across much of North America. Though it lacks the bold facial patterns of some relatives, its sweet song quickly betrays its presence high in the treetops.
“If I see you I will seize you and I'll squeeze you till you squeal!”
How to tell it apart
Lessons featuring the Warbling Vireo
Ready to test your ear? Practice identifying the Warbling Vireo's sounds in these interactive in-app lessons.
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Where you'll hear it
Breeds in open woodlands, riverbottom cottonwoods, parks, and suburban shade trees. Prefers tall deciduous trees with moderate understory.
Long-distance migrant. Arrives on breeding grounds April–May, departs August–September. On wintering grounds October–March.
Similar species
Philadelphia Vireo
Philadelphia shows brighter yellow underparts overall
Red-eyed Vireo
Prominent white eyebrow and dark crown stripes
Tennessee Warbler
Warbler lacks hook-tipped bill