Cassin’s Vireo
The Cassin’s Vireo (Vireo cassinii) was once a subspecies within the Solitary Vireo complex along with the Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 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, to construct a genoscape for the Cassin’s Vireo which will include the non-migratory subspecies Vireo cassinii lucasanus found in Baja California Sur. We’re also interested in exploring its evolutionary history, regions of the genome associated with climate and ecology, and its two contact zones with the Plumbeous Vireo and Blue-headed Vireo.
We are actively collecting and seeking samples from breeding and wintering locations across the Cassin’s Vireo’s range. Please contact Amanda Carpenter to learn more about how you can contribute to the project!