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Platte River Status: A common migrant west to North Platte, fairly common farther west. Uncommon and local summer resident in the eastern half of the study area; rare and local in the west. Tout (1947) considered red-eyed vireo an uncommon summer resident present 18 May to 22 September in Lincoln County. Rosche (1979) recorded red-eyed vireo in the lower North Platte River Valley 18-25 May, and on 25 August.

Breeding Range: An uncommon to rare and local summer resident in the Platte River Valley physiographic region, and on the Eastern Plain; virtually absent elsewhere.

Breeding Population: The 1979-1980 population was estimated at 300 breeding pairs. Based on our field work in the study area, we predict the population of red-eyed vireo is considerably larger than the number we estimated. We believe that the estimated population difference is an artifact of the sampling method used to determine populations.

Habitat: We found the highest mean nesting density (1.2 pairs/km²) in residential habitats, followed by 0.2 pairs/km² in lowland forest. Red-eyed vireo in the Platte River Valley occurs most commonly in mature wooded habitats where cottonwood forms a closed canopy and the understory is well-developed. Faanes and Andrew (1983) reported that largest breeding densities of red-eyed vireo in northeastern North Dakota occurred in lowland forest with 75% canopy cover, and a mean height of trees > 15 m. James (1976) reported largest densities of red-eyed vireo in southern Ontario in closed canopy deciduous forest with abundant understory. Bond (1957) found that red-eyed vireo breeding habitat included climax mesic deciduous forest.

Effect of Habitat Alteration: Red-eyed vireo has benefited from de-watering of the Platte River system and the subsequent establishment of wooded vegetation within the stream channel. Maturation of the lowland forest is probably the principal factor contributing to the extension of this vireo as a breeding bird across the Great Plains.

Nesting Data: We have no confirmed records of nests or young in the study area. T. E. Labedz observed an adult building a nest at Ravenna State Park on 2 June 1984. Kansas egg dates range from 21 May to 31 July, with a peak the first week of June (Johnsgard 1979). Stewart (1975) described the nesting season in North Dakota extending from early June to late August.