vireo

American  

[vir-ee-oh] / ˈvɪr iˌoʊ /

noun

plural

vireos

1. any of several small, insectivorous American birds of the family Vireonidae, having the plumage usually olive-green or gray above and white or yellow below.

---

vireo British  

/ ˈvɪrɪəʊ /

noun

1. any insectivorous American songbird of the family Vireonidae, esp those of the genus Vireo, having an olive-grey back with pale underparts

---

Etymology

Origin of vireo

1825–35; < New Latin; Latin vireō (Pliny), probably the greenfinch, derivative of virēre to be green

Example Sentences

A rather plain but sweet-looking species called the Philadelphia vireo wasn’t studied a single time during this 55-year period, according to the analysis.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2025

Once teetering on extinction, the least Bell’s vireo is making a comeback in areas along the Los Angeles River, including a bustling park in northeast L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2024

The rose-breasted grosbeak is there too, and the red-eyed vireo, and the indigo bunting.

From Washington Post • Feb. 22, 2023

The song that Gary made the recording of did sound a bit like a bird called a brown-capped vireo.

From Slate • Nov. 20, 2021

Many a nature lover will recognize twenty-five or thirty birds at sight without any difficulty, and not know the vireo.

From The Meaning of Evolution by Schmucker, Samuel Christian