Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of the Black-capped Vireo To Be an Endangered Species

The Service determines the black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapillus) to be an endangered species. This bird formerly bred from Kansas through Oklahoma and Texas to central Coahuila. Mexico. The vireo no longer occurs in Kansas, is gravely endangered in Oklahoma, and is no longer found in several parts of its formerly extensive range in Texas. The black-capped vireo is threatened by brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) nest parasitism and loss of habitat due to such factors as urbanization, grazing, range improvement, and succession. This rule implements the protection provided by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, for Vireo atricapillus