Endangered Species Guide : Birds : Animal Planet

Endangered Birds

Pictures: Courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |

BLACK-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo atricapilla)

Description: The black-capped vireo is a tiny songbird that lives in the oak woodlands of Texas, Oklahoma and Northern Mexico. It has a brownish body, a black cap, red eyes and white "spectacles" formed by rings around the eyes. Once abundant, this species is now endangered due to agricultural expansion and other human activities. It is also threatened by nest parasites such as the brown-headed cowbird that invade the vireo's nest, knock out the eggs, and replace them with its own.

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USFWS Status: Endangered
Major Threats: Habitat loss due to agricultural expansion; nest parasites
Habitat: Oak woodlands
Location: Texas, Oklahoma and Northern Mexico
Diet: Insects, primarily caterpillars and beetles

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Pictures: Courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |

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