Tweets, I noticed Bill Boyington's post and others recently mention good
looks at Red-eyed Vireo. It feels like a real treat whenever you can get a
decent look at this handsome bird. It seems no coincidence that in my
experience, though limited, my good looks down low (near or below eye level)
have all likewise been late in the season, and not far from known nesting
spots. My observations give the nontechnical impression that for whatever
reason they remain elusively high in the canopy (for territorial reasons??)
until either (1) the fruit/berries come on (eg, serviceberry) and they
descend to feed on these; or (2) ditto, and they are feeding this fruit to
young birds/fledglings (a high percentage of these sightings involves mobile
young birds still at least somewhat attached to the parents); or (3) young
birds are exploring this food source and the parents stick close by (my late
season good looks are almost all of more than one individual in close
proximity); or (4) the typically dry conditions of late summer drive them
down to seek water sources (many if not most of my sightings could be
explained this way -- though birds always need water); or (5) the adults are
"done" being so territorial and "free" to venture outside their (apparent)
tree-top territory to the lower levels; or perhaps (6) younger birds have
not learned to elude detection so well, so their presence down low is more
obvious than when/if adult birds descend to the understory.
Thoughts/suggestions?
--Paul Hicks / Tenino / phicks AT accessgrace.org