VIREO

vireo

(noun) any of various small insectivorous American birds chiefly olive-grey in color

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

vireo (plural vireos or vireoes)

Any of a number of small insectivorous passerine birds, of the genus Vireo, that have grey-green plumage.

Any bird of the family Vireonidae, which includes vireos, shrike-vireo, greenlets and peppershrikes.

(in plural) The family Vireonidae.

Usage notes

The alternative plural form vireoes appears to be relatively rare and dated.

Source: Wiktionary

Vir"e*o, n. Etym: [L., a species of bird.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: Any one of numerous species of American singing birds belonging to Vireo and allied genera of the family Vireonidæ. In many of the species the back is greenish, or olive-colored. Called also greenlet.

Note: In the Eastern United States the most common species are the white-eyed vireo (Vireo Noveboracensis), the redeyed vireo (V. olivaceus), the blue-headed, or solitary, vireo (V. solitarius), the warbling vireo (V. gilvus), and the yellow-throated vireo (V. flavifrons). All these are noted for the sweetness of their songs.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition