Red-eyed Vireo

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Red-eyed Vireo in the UK

A rare vagrant from North America, but one of the most regular American songbirds to reach Britain. It is found in most autumns, usually in ones and twos, with more after strong westerly weather. The first British record was on the Isles of Scilly in 1962. It is still a national rarity, so every record is assessed by the British Birds Rarities Committee. It has never bred or wintered here. Birds arrive tired after an Atlantic crossing and most stay only a few days. In autumn 2026 one was at RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk, until at least 1 October, the first for the reserve.

Where and when to see a Red-eyed Vireo

Records cluster on the Isles of Scilly, west Cornwall, Lundy, the Outer Hebrides and Shetland, with a few on the Welsh coast and very few on the east coast. Late September to mid October is the window. Check sheltered sycamores, willows and bramble patches in coastal valleys and island gardens after fast Atlantic depressions. Most are found by birders working island cover, some turn up in ringers' nets, and news goes out through the bird news services within minutes.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Mature trees (vagrant).
Diet: Insects, fruit.
Field note: Often grounded after Atlantic crossings.

How to identify a Red-eyed Vireo

About the size of a Garden Warbler but heavier, with a thick bill that has a small hook at the tip. Olive-green above and clean white below. The head pattern clinches it: blue-grey crown, a black line along the crown edge, a long white stripe over the eye and a dark line through it. Adults have a red eye. First-winter birds, which make up most British records, have a dull brown eye. It moves slowly and deliberately through the canopy, unlike the restless flicking of a warbler, and can sit still for minutes.

Call and song

Usually silent in Britain. The occasional call is a nasal, complaining mew, a little like a quiet cat. The song, a string of short robin-like phrases repeated all day, is not heard here. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Garden Warbler: Garden Warbler is plain-faced with no crown stripes or white eyebrow, and has a shorter, blunter bill.
• Eurasian Blackcap: Blackcap is grey-brown rather than green and has a solid black or brown cap with no white stripe over the eye.
• Philadelphia Vireo: Philadelphia Vireo, a far rarer vagrant, is smaller with a yellow wash on the throat and breast and no black edge to the crown.

Related guide Rare birds in the UK.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Red-eyed Vireo is an Epic tier bird, worth +20 points when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Where to see it

Reserves where the Red-eyed Vireo is on the list:

• Isles of Scilly
• RSPB Minsmere

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Philadelphia VireoLegendary · Trees
• Yellow-throated VireoLegendary · Trees (extreme vagrant)
• Collared FlycatcherEpic · Mature trees (very rare)
• Iberian ChiffchaffEpic · Mature trees (rare migrant)
• Rose-breasted GrosbeakEpic · Trees (vagrant)
• Baltimore OrioleLegendary · Trees

Red-eyed Vireo: quick answers

Has a Red-eyed Vireo ever been seen in the UK?

Yes. Britain's first was on the Isles of Scilly in 1962 and the species has been found in most autumns since. Ireland's first was earlier, in County Wexford in 1951. It remains a national rarity.

When is the best time to see Red-eyed Vireo?

Late September to mid October. Arrivals follow deep Atlantic lows that sweep migrants off the eastern seaboard of North America and across the ocean. A spell of strong westerlies in that window is the time to check coastal trees in the south-west.

What does a Red-eyed Vireo eat?

Mostly insects and caterpillars picked from leaves. Birds in Britain also take berries such as blackberries and elderberries, which helps them refuel after the crossing. Watch fruiting bushes in sheltered spots.

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