White-eyed Vireo: The Color of Righteous Fury
Legend says she scolded so hard the pigment quit.
Back in the early days of birds, the Vireo had bright amber eyes—soft, shimmering, and full of possibility.
But she was also… territorial.
Very territorial.
If you so much as looked at her flower patch, she’d puff up and scold you halfway to next Tuesday.
One day, a cowbird swooped in to lay an egg in her nest.
The Vireo lost her mind.
She screamed. She flailed. She dive-bombed that cowbird with the fury of a thousand hummingbirds denied sugar water.
And when the cowbird left, the Vireo turned to the heavens and shouted, “Was that really necessary!?”
At that moment, the Great Bird Beyond (who may have been napping) opened one massive eye, peered down, and sighed.
Then, with a puff of celestial wind—whoosh!
The color drained from her irises like ink from a leaky pen.
Since then, all White-eyed Vireos wear that pale, eerie stare.
Not from age. Not from wisdom.
But from the day a cowbird crossed the line, and the universe said: “Okay, that’s enough drama.”
Moral:
Some scars don’t show—unless they’re in your eyeballs.
Ericgram:
1. She Saw Red, Then She Saw White
2. The Bird Who Yelled Her Eyes Out
White-eyed Vireo: The Color of Righteous Fury
Legend says she scolded so hard the pigment quit.
Back in the early days of birds, the Vireo had bright amber eyes—soft, shimmering, and full of possibility.
But she was also… territorial.
Very territorial.
If you so much as looked at her flower patch, she’d puff up and scold you halfway to next Tuesday.
One day, a cowbird swooped in to lay an egg in her nest.
The Vireo lost her mind.
She screamed. She flailed. She dive-bombed that cowbird with the fury of a thousand hummingbirds denied sugar water.
And when the cowbird left, the Vireo turned to the heavens and shouted, “Was that really necessary!?”
At that moment, the Great Bird Beyond (who may have been napping) opened one massive eye, peered down, and sighed.
Then, with a puff of celestial wind—whoosh!
The color drained from her irises like ink from a leaky pen.
Since then, all White-eyed Vireos wear that pale, eerie stare.
Not from age. Not from wisdom.
But from the day a cowbird crossed the line, and the universe said: “Okay, that’s enough drama.”
Moral:
Some scars don’t show—unless they’re in your eyeballs.
Ericgram:
1. She Saw Red, Then She Saw White
2. The Bird Who Yelled Her Eyes Out