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Least Bell's VireoArundo Impact Score: 9
Status: Endangered Range: Tehama County, CA to Northern Baja California Average size: 5-6 inches Primary food: Flying insects Least Bell's vireo nests and forages almost exclusively in riparian habitats. They require dense thickets consisting of mulefat, sandbar willow, and other willow species which are being displaced by dense stands of arundo. Arundo does not have a suitable structure for vireo nests.
Birds in general are rarely seen feeding in arundo, as there are few insects that inhabit or feed on the reed. Arundo supports a low density and diversity of insects. The historic loss of suitable wetlands is believed to be at 91%, and the remaining possible habitat is degraded due to pollution, invasive species, and intentional thinning of underbrush. |