How is the distribution of the White-eyed Vireo typically characterized across its core North American range?
Locally abundant, favoring specific edge habitats rather than being uniformly distributed
Although the White-eyed Vireo is common, its distribution pattern across the core North American range is not one of uniform, continuous coverage. Instead, it is frequently described as being locally abundant. This distribution pattern suggests an adaptation to historical mosaic landscapes, consisting of areas where dense scrub interspersed with drier or more open forest persisted. This preference for edge habitats, rather than deep, continuous primary forest, highlights an inherent evolutionary flexibility that allowed the species to successfully recolonize northern areas rapidly after glacial retreat, unlike species strictly tied to climax forest types.
