Natural History of the Bell Vireo,
Vireo bellii Audubon
BY
JON C. BARLOW
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
| [Contents] | [243] |
| [Introduction] | [245] |
| [Acknowledgments] | [245] |
| [Methods of Study] | [246] |
| [Study Area] | [247] |
| Considerations of Habitat | [248] |
| [Seasonal Movement] | [250] |
| Arrival in Spring | [250] |
| Fall Departure | [251] |
| [General Behavior] | [252] |
| Flight | [252] |
| Foraging and Food Habits | [252] |
| Bathing | [253] |
| [Vocalizations] | [254] |
| Singing Postures | [255] |
| Flight Song | [255] |
| Daily Frequency of Song | [255] |
| Types of Vocalizations | [255] |
| [Territoriality] | [258] |
| Establishment of Territory | [259] |
| Size of Territories | [259] |
| Permanence of Territories | [260] |
| Maintenance of Territory | [260] |
| Aggressive Behavior of the Female | [264] |
| Interspecific Relationships | [264] |
| Discussion | [265] |
| [Courtship Behavior] | [267] |
| Displays and Postures | [268] |
| Discussion | [270] |
| [Selection of Nest-site and Nestbuilding] | [272] |
| Building | [274] |
| Gathering of Nesting Materials | [276] |
| Length and Hours of Nestbuilding | [277] |
| Abortive Nestbuilding Efforts | [277] |
| Renesting | [277] |
| The Nest | [277] |
| [Egglaying and Incubation] | [278] |
| Egglaying | [278] |
| Clutch-size | [279] |
| Incubation | [280] |
| The Roles of the Sexes in Incubation | [280] |
| Relief of Partners in Incubation | [283] |
| [Nestling Period] | [283] |
| Hatching Sequence | [283] |
| Development of the Nestlings | [284] |
| Parental Behavior | [285] |
| Feeding of the Nestlings | [286] |
| Nest Sanitation | [287] |
| Fledging | [287] |
| Nest Parasites | [287] |
| [Fledgling Life] | [288] |
| Second Broods | [288] |
| [Reproductive Success] | [289] |
| Behavior | [290] |
| Predation | [291] |
| Cowbird Parasitism | [291] |
| [Summary] | [292] |
| [Literature Cited] | [294] |
INTRODUCTION
The Bell Vireo (Vireo bellii Aud.) is a summer resident in riparian and second growth situations in the central United States south of North Dakota. In the last two decades this bird has become fairly common in western, and to a lesser extent in central, Indiana and is apparently shifting its breeding range eastward in that state (Mumford, 1952; Nolan, 1960). In northeastern Kansas the species breeds commonly and occurs in most tracts of suitable habitat.