Cassin's Vireo,  Vireo cassinii

Number of accepted Cassin's Vireo records for Louisiana = 2 as of 25th Report of the LBRC (2022)



Accepted Records

One immature male (1987-04) on 20 September 1987, Cameron: Garner Ridge, 3 mi. W of Johnsons Bayou School; Steven W. Cardiff (LSUMZ 135161) and Donna L. Dittmann. This is the first state record and was not previously published in an LBRC report.

Photo by Matt Pontiff

One immature female (2009-95) on 3 October 2009, Cameron: Johnsons Bayou area; Paul E. Conover (LSUMZ/DLD 9823), Matthew Pontiff (ph). This is the second state record.

Photo by Matt Pontiff

Unaccepted Records

One (2012-145) on 20 October 2012, Bossier: Red River NWR, Lake Bluff trail 0.6-0.7 mi. S headquarters unit (Bossier City). This remains a very difficult identification with many subjective pitfalls in the absence of knowing age and sex. The observer submitted a careful and detailed description but in the absence of a very detailed set of photographs, Members were unwilling to accept a single observer sight report as Louisiana�s third occurrence.

One (2013-096) on 28 December 2013, Cameron: Peveto Woods Sanctuary. The photographs were superficially suggestive of this species. However, two characters visible in the photos seemed to better favor Blue-headed over Cassin's: 1) bright, clean white under parts contrasting with yellowish sides, and 2) a fair amount of contrast on the upper parts between the gray crown/nape and the grayish green back. Relatively fresh fall/early winter Cassin's should show more uniform grayish-green upper parts, including the nape/crown area, with little or no contrast. This represents a difficult and subjective identification that prompted most Members to adopt a conservative stance and not accept the report. The are only two accepted state occurrences, both specimens from Cameron in early fall.

One (2001-042) on 14 December 2001, Cameron: Goose Island area on Lacassine NWR-Thornwell CBC (photos). Members were in agreement that the photos and written details did not decisively eliminate the more expected Blue-headed Vireo.