tennessee warbler vs. warbling vireo

[gary yankech]

I have seen a few id requests in regards to Tennessee warblers and Warbling Vireos. Now I am doubting my own ids. Here are a few pics.....did I get them right?

#1 Warbling Vireo taken last year, Tommy Thomspon Park


Warbling Vireo by Gary Yankech, on Flickr

#2 Warbling Vireo , taken this year, Point Pelee


Warbling Vireo by Gary Yankech, on Flickr

#3 Tennessee Warbler taken this year, Tommy Thompson Park


Tennessee Warbler by Gary Yankech, on Flickr

#4  same bird, different angle, Tommy Thompson Park

Tennessee Warbler by Gary Yankech, on Flickr


Are these the right ids?  Any advise on how to identify these birds more easily? Thanks in advance!

[Trillian Flummox]

I always struggle with these birds too! In this case I think all Warbling Vireos. One of the keys for vireos is a slightly shorter, heavier beak with a very small hook on the end which you can actually see in your third photo. Warbling Vireos are larger than Tennessees but that can be really tough to gage in the field. Officially the Tennessee should have a darker olive coloured back and gray head, while the vireo should have a lighter more uniform olive/grey back and head, but you don't always get a good look at their backs! If they are accommodating enough to sing for you they do have distinctly different songs. I think of the Warbling Vireo song as sounding really fast - like they are racing through their melody as quick as they can. The Tennessee's song has three parts with more distinct notes - you can try to remember a mnemonic such as "tika-tika-tika, swee-swee-swee, chay-chay-chay"  but personally I always forget this!  -kris  

[thouc]

I agree that they all are Warbling Vireos. The green back usually stands out on a Tennesse Warbler.

[gary yankech]

Thanks guys! I struggle with these for sure too. I thought maybe the latter two were Tennessee based on the length of its tail. It looks a bit small. But  now that you pointed it out, I do see the hook in it bill. Thanks for the tip, no pun intended!