The warbling vireo is common and widespread in Washington, but because it is so well camoflauged it can be difficult to spot. The male vireo makes up for this by his song. Unlike most songbirds, who vocalize in the early morning and at dusk, this bird sings all throughout the day, even while he is sitting on the nest. Listen for a cheery, rapid undulating warble that sounds like “If I see you, I will seize you and I’ll squeeze you ‘till you squirt!”

Warbling vireos live in dense brush and the edges of forests where they move up and down the branches gleaning insects. They are most often found alone or in pairs, rather than in a flock. Their bills are larger than many songbirds and have a small hook at the end.

These migratory birds start to arrive in the Wenatchee Watershed in April. They nest here and raise their young, then start to leave in late summer. They spend the winter in western Mexico and northern Central America, sometimes in shade-grown coffee plantations.