Species Profile
Environmental Conservation Online System

Least Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus)

Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Vireonidae

Listing Status:   

General Information

Least Bell's vireos are small birds. They are only 11.5-12.5 centimeters long. (About 4.5 to 5.0 inches) They have short rounded wings and short, straight bills. There is a faint white eye ring. Feathers are mostly gray above and pale below. This is a common protective marking in birds. Seen from below, the bird blends into the clouds. From above, it blends into the landcover.

Lead Region:  California/Nevada Region (Region 8)
Date Listed: May 2, 1986

  • States/US Territories in which the Least Bell's vireo is known to occur:  California
  • USFWS Refuges in which the Least Bell's vireo is known to occur:  SAN DIEGO BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE , SAN DIEGO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE , TIJUANA SLOUGH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
  • Countries in which the the Least Bell's vireo is known to occur:  Mexico
  • For more information:  http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es/animal_spp_acct/LB_vireo_kf.htm

» Federal Register Documents

Most Recent Federal Register Documents (Showing 5 of 18 : view all)
Date Citation Page Title
02/14/2007 72 FR 7064 7084 Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 58 Species in California and Nevada; Availability of Completed 5-Year Reviews in California and Nevada
11/03/2005 70 FR 66842 66844 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Extension of Comment Period for the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle, Smith's Blue Butterfly, Delhi Sands Flower Loving Fly, Morro Shoulderband Snail, Giant Garter Snake, San Francisco Garter Snake, Island Night Lizard, California Least Tern, Least Bell's Vireo, Chinese Camp Brodiaea, Mariposa Pussypaws, San Clemente Island Indian Paintbrush, Spring-Loving Centaury, Springville Clarkia, San Clemente Island Larkspur, Santa Barbara Island Dudleya, Ash Meadows Gumplant, San Clemente Island Woodland Star, San Clemente Island Lotus, San Clemente Island Bush Mallow, Amargosa Niterwort, Eureka Valley Evening Primrose, Yreka Phlox, Hartweg's Golden Sunburst, San Joaquin Adobe Sunburst, Santa Cruz Island Rock-Cress, Keck's Checker-mallow, Eureka Dune Grass, Kneeland Prairie Pennycress, Hidden Lake Bluecurls, and Red Hills Vervain 5-Year Reviews.
07/07/2005 70 FR 39327 39329 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle, Smith's Blue Butterfly, Delhi Sands Flower Loving Fly, Morro Shoulderband Snail, Giant Garter Snake, San Francisco Garter Snake, Island Night Lizard, California Least Tern, Least Bell's Vireo, Chinese Camp Brodiaea, Mariposa Pussypaws, San Clemente Island Indian Paintbrush, Spring-Loving Centaury, Springville Clarkia, San Clemente Island Larkspur, Santa Barbara Island Dudleya, Ash Meadows Gumplant, San Clemente Island Woodland Star, San Clemente Island Lotus, San Clemente Island Bush Mallow, Amargosa Niterwort, Eureka Valley Evening Primrose, Yreka Phlox, Hartweg's Golden Sunburst, San Joaquin Adobe Sunburst, Santa Cruz Island Rock-Cress, Keck's Checker-mallow, Eureka Dune Grass, Kneeland Prairie Pennycress, Hidden Lake Bluecurls, and Red Hills Vervain
03/14/2005 70 FR 12496 12498 Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the North County Multiple Species Conservation Program, San Diego, CA
01/10/2005 70 FR 1737 1738 Notice of Intent to Scope for the Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Issuance of an Incidental Take Permit Associated with the Agua Calliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Habitat Conservation Plan, Riverside County, CA

» Recovery

Recovery Plan Information Search
Current Recovery Plan(s)
Date Title Plan Action Status Plan Status
05/06/1998 Draft Recovery Plan for the Least Bell's Vireo View Implementation Progress Draft
Other Recovery Documents (Showing 4 of 4 )
Date Citation Page Title Document Type
02/14/2007 72 FR 7064 7084 Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 58 Species in California and Nevada; Availability of Completed 5-Year Reviews in California and Nevada
  • Notice 5-year Review, Completion
    • 11/03/2005 70 FR 66842 66844 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Extension of Comment Period for the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle, Smith's Blue Butterfly, Delhi Sands Flower Loving Fly, Morro Shoulderband Snail, Giant Garter Snake, San Francisco Garter Snake, Island Night Lizard, California Least Tern, Least Bell's Vireo, Chinese Camp Brodiaea, Mariposa Pussypaws, San Clemente Island Indian Paintbrush, Spring-Loving Centaury, Springville Clarkia, San Clemente Island Larkspur, Santa Barbara Island Dudleya, Ash Meadows Gumplant, San Clemente Island Woodland Star, San Clemente Island Lotus, San Clemente Island Bush Mallow, Amargosa Niterwort, Eureka Valley Evening Primrose, Yreka Phlox, Hartweg's Golden Sunburst, San Joaquin Adobe Sunburst, Santa Cruz Island Rock-Cress, Keck's Checker-mallow, Eureka Dune Grass, Kneeland Prairie Pennycress, Hidden Lake Bluecurls, and Red Hills Vervain 5-Year Reviews.
  • Notice 5-year Review
  • Notice Comment Period Extension
    • 07/07/2005 70 FR 39327 39329 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle, Smith's Blue Butterfly, Delhi Sands Flower Loving Fly, Morro Shoulderband Snail, Giant Garter Snake, San Francisco Garter Snake, Island Night Lizard, California Least Tern, Least Bell's Vireo, Chinese Camp Brodiaea, Mariposa Pussypaws, San Clemente Island Indian Paintbrush, Spring-Loving Centaury, Springville Clarkia, San Clemente Island Larkspur, Santa Barbara Island Dudleya, Ash Meadows Gumplant, San Clemente Island Woodland Star, San Clemente Island Lotus, San Clemente Island Bush Mallow, Amargosa Niterwort, Eureka Valley Evening Primrose, Yreka Phlox, Hartweg's Golden Sunburst, San Joaquin Adobe Sunburst, Santa Cruz Island Rock-Cress, Keck's Checker-mallow, Eureka Dune Grass, Kneeland Prairie Pennycress, Hidden Lake Bluecurls, and Red Hills Vervain
  • Notice 5-year Review, Initiation
    • 05/06/1998 63 FR 25063 Notice of Availability of a Draft Recovery Plan for the Least Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) for Review and Comment
  • Notice Draft Recovery Plan Availability
    • Five Year Review
    Date Title
    09/26/2006 Least Bell's Vireo 5-Year Review

    » Critical Habitat

    Current Critical Habitat Documents (Showing 4 of 4 )
    Date Citation Page Title Document Type Status
    02/02/1994 59 FR 4845 4867 ETWP; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Least Bell's Vireo Final Rule Active
    08/07/1992 57 FR 34892 ETWP; Revised Proposed Determination of Critical Habitat for Least Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus). 57 FR 34892 Proposed Rule Not Required
    06/04/1985 50 FR 23458 23459 Proposed Endangered Status and Critical Habitat for the Least Bell's Vireo; Correction Proposed Rule Not Required
    05/03/1985 50 FR 18968 18975 Proposed Endangered Status & Crit. Hab. for Least Bell's Vireo; 50 FR 18968-18975 Proposed Rule Not Required

    To learn more about critical habitat please see http://criticalhabitat.fws.gov

    » Conservation Plans

    Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP) (learn more) (Showing 5 of 16 : view all)
    HCP Plan Summaries
    Coachella Valley Multi-Species HCP
    Fieldstone/La Costa & City of Carlsbad
    Kern Water Bank
    Lake Mathews
    MHCP, City of Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan
    Safe Harbor Agreements (SHA): (learn more) (Showing 1 of 1 )
    SHA Plan Summaries
    Robert Mondavi Winery

    » Petitions

    Most Recent Petition Findings (Showing 1 of 1 )
    Date Citation Page Title Finding
    01/20/1984 49 FR 2485 2488 Findings on Pending Petitions & Description of Progress on Listing Actions; 49 FR 2485-2488
  • Notice 12 month petition finding, Warranted but precluded

    • » Life History

    No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.

    » Other Resources

    NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

    ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

    Last updated: November 22, 2009