Warbling Vireo

Status Rare vagrant, very rare in summer. Most nineteenth century reports appear to be in confusion with other species; only Hickman's (1896) report of a 'rare' bird at Pictou on 20 June 1895 has some plausibility. The first well-documented report was of a bird seen in a Wolfville garden on 10 June 1954 (R.W. Tufts). Since then, the bird's presence has been established by at least 50 sightings, several photographs and two specimens; generally single birds, sometimes two or three, were involved but six were seen on Seal Island on 1 October 1979. About a dozen reports are for spring, between 15 May and 13 June. A singing bird in Pictou County from 11 May to 13 July 1958 (E. Holdway) suggests some potential for breeding, as do reports of birds singing in Pugwash, Cumberland County, and Middleton, Annapolis County, during summer 1967 (O.E. Devitt). Other birds first seen in July (five reports through the month) could represent post-breeding wanderers. The remaining reports have been of evident reverse fall migrants, between 25 August and 12 November, mostly in September and mostly on Brier and Seal islands.

Remarks Although this bird is readily identified when well seen, observers should be aware that young Red-eyed Vireos have dark eyes, and that the yellow on the breast of Philadelphia Vireos can be quite washed out. A good field mark is the lack of a dark streak in front of the eye of the Warbling Vireo, giving it a blank-faced appearance. As the species nests in southern New Brunswick, its occurrence here as a vagrant is unremarkable, and its establishment as a breeder might be anticipated.