Blue-headed Vireo
The Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) was once a subspecies within the Solitary Vireo complex along with the Cassin’s Vireo (Vireo cassinii) and the Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus). With the help of early genetic studies, in 1997 all three were split into their recognized species today.
We are working with our very own Bird Genoscape Project lab manager, Amanda Carpenter, and in collaboration with Dr. Garth Spellman from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and Dr. Ben Winger from the University of Michigan, to construct a genoscape for the Blue-headed Vireo. We’re also interested in exploring its evolutionary history, regions of the genome associated with climate and ecology, and its contact zone with the Cassin’s Vireo.
We are actively collecting and seeking samples from breeding and wintering locations across the Blue-headed Vireo’s range. Please contact Amanda Carpenter to learn more about how you can contribute to the project!