The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recently proposed that black-capped vireos (Vireo atricapilla) be removed from the federal list of endangered species. Black-capped vireos were listed as an endangered species in 1987, when scientists estimated that just 350 remained in the wild. Today, over 14,000 black-capped vireos breed throughout Oklahoma, central Texas, and a small area of north-central Mexico. The population declines were attributed to habitat loss and nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater), a native invasive species. Black-capped vireo recovery has been attributed to improvements in habitat management, conservation easements, and management of brown-headed cowbird populations.

The link to the Federal Register document can be found here.

For more information about all kinds of birds, including black-capped vireos and brown-headed cowbirds, check out The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds website.