Fun Philadelphia Vireo Facts For Kids

The Philadelphia Vireo (philadelphicus) is known as a small North American songbird that belongs to the family of Vireo. These North American birds from family Vireonidae and order Passeriformes weigh very little as they are extremely small in size. In terms of appearance, these North American birds are drab-colored, with olive-green or yellow upperparts and lighter olive or buffy underparts. Many birds of this species have eye-rings, eye-lines, or wing-bars on the body as well.

While the present population of this species of family Vireonidae and order Passeriformes is stable, they are vulnerable to loss of habitat, especially on wintering grounds. Read on to learn all about these Vireos. After reading these facts about the Vireo, you may also look at fox sparrow facts and lark sparrow facts.

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What type of animal is a Philadelphia Vireo?

The Philadelphia Vireo (Philadelphicus) is a type of bird that is very tiny and is not easily recognizable.

What class of animal does a Philadelphia Vireo belong to?

The Philadelphia Vireo belongs to the class of birds. This bird species from family Vireonidae and order Passeriformes is drab colored, with olive-green or yellow upperparts and lighter olive or buffy underparts.

How many Philadelphia Vireo are there in the world?

There is no accurate number of Philadelphia Vireos in the world as the population of this species is quite stable, and their numbers change based on different factors. You can use a range map, bird guide, and field guide applications on a smartphone to access up-to-date information on these birds.

Where does a Philadelphia Vireo live?

The Philadelphia Vireos live in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions in North America. You can make use of a range map, bird guide, and field guide to see their habitat range in person.  

What is a Philadelphia Vireo habitat?

The Philadelphia Vireo’s habitat consists of the Nearctic and Neotropical woodlands where other Vireos can be found within the habitat. You may contact a bird guide or range map to help you identify the bird from the family Vireonidae and order Passeriformes while it is in the process of migrating.

Who do Philadelphia Vireos live with?

The Philadelphia Vireos mostly prefer to live alone rather than living in pairs but the bird species come together during the time of mating.

How long does a Philadelphia Vireo live?

The lifespan of a Philadelphia Vireo is known to be around eight years which is based on different factors that determine the life of this bird species and also their living.

How do they reproduce?

Philadelphia Vireo species breed once yearly. The birds form pairs during the season of breeding and also defend feeding and nesting territory, and it is through physical aggression. Female birds construct the hanging, cup-shaped nest all by themselves, without any help from the males. The females use birch bark, grass, feathers, vegetation, and spider webs as material for constructing the nest. The typical clutch size for this bird species is four eggs but may range from three to five eggs. The eggs of these birds are white and speckled with brown or black.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of this bird species is Least Concern as the population of this species is increasing with the birth of newborns, once every year. Therefore, the population of this bird species does not require any conservation as of now.

What do Philadelphia Vireos look like?

The adult birds are different in color as compared to females. The adult birds have olive-brown on the upperparts and yellow color in their underparts. This bird species has eyes that are dark and a crown that is gray in color. Their legs are gray in color and its bill is stout.

How cute are they?

This bird species are very cute in their appearance. Their size and color make them look adorable and attractive as they look very beautiful.

How do they communicate?

The Philadelphia Vireos communicate with the use of songs or multiple calls, body postures, and also physical encounters in order to communicate with others and convey their message to the other person easily. In the song, the phrases are slightly farther apart than other birds of the species.

How big is a Philadelphia Vireo?

Philadelphia Vireos are very small in size as compared to the other group of birds from the same species and from order Passeriformes. Their size varies between 5-5.1 in (12.7-13 cm) and the wingspan ranges between 7.5-8 in (19.1-20.3 cm). They are around half the size of a wood thrush.

How fast can a Philadelphia Vireo fly?

There is no accurate information on how fast this White-eyed Vireo can fly. They fly high and fast when they see their predator approaching them.

How much does a Philadelphia Vireo weigh?

The Philadelphia Vireo range of weight is quite low as compared to other North American birds such as the Warbling Vireo. They weigh around 0.4-0.42 oz (11.3-11.9 g) according to their size and shape. The weight differs according to their body structure and also their diet.

What are the male and female names of the species?

There is no specific and assigned name for the male and the female Philadelphia Vireos. They are known as male Philadelphia Vireo and female Philadelphia Vireo respectively.

What would you call a baby Philadelphia Vireo?

The Philadelphia Vireo baby is known as a chick or a juvenile Philadelphia Vireo.

What do they eat?

The Philadelphia Vireo forages for the insects in the trees, especially caterpillars, and tries to catch insects in the flight. This bird species also eats berries, especially before their migration.

Are they dangerous?

No, they are not dangerous but are used to warn off intruders. They are not aggressive in nature unless and until they feel there is something threatening for them.  

Would they make a good pet?

No, the immature Philadelphia Vireo is not suitable as pets as they are wild animals. They thrive in habitats that are dense with complex vertical structures. 

Did you know...

The breeding habitat of the Philadelphia Vireos is known to be in the edges of forests across Canada and in Philadelphia. They make nests that are shaped like a basket on particular tree branches that are placed high above the ground.

The Philadelphia Vireo is the most northerly breeding species that falls under vireo.

The Philadelphia Vireos are often mistaken for Red-eyed Vireos and also warbling vireos.

Philadelphia Vireos are birds that migrate twice a year, once in spring and once in fall.

These birds are named Philadelphia Vireos since vireo is the name given to green-colored migratory birds and Philadephia is for seeing the Vireo in Philadelphia.

How long does the Philadelphia Vireo stay around in Maryland during migration?

The Philadelphia Vireo bird migrates mostly during the night and flies north across the Gulf of Mexico and then spreads out accordingly. There is no accurate information as to how long the Philadelphia Vireo stays around in Maryland during their period of migration. They migrate to overwinter in Central America from southern Mexico.

How to tell the difference between Red-eyed Vireo and Philadelphia Vireo

The main difference between the Red-eyed Vireo and Philadelphia Vireo is their size. Philadelphia Vireos are smaller than the Red-eyed Vireos with bills that are small in size. The Philadelphia Vireo’s face is marked very little and does not have a gray head and dark line below their crown. The Philadelphia Vireos have a yellow breast and are never seen as clearly as the Red-eyed Vireos. The Philadelphia Vireo song is also different.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our spotted towhee facts and green heron facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable philadelphia vireo coloring pages.

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