The golden-fronted greenlet is a small passerine bird in the vireo family. It breeds in Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and Trinidad.
Region
Panama and northern South America (Colombia, Venezuela) and Trinidad
Typical Environment
The golden-fronted greenlet inhabits lowland and foothill evergreen forest, forest edges, second growth, and wooded plantations. It favors the mid to upper canopy where it gleans prey from foliage and fine branches. It adapts well to semi-open wooded mosaics and gallery forests near rivers. It is a year-round resident throughout its range.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small vireo often joins mixed-species flocks, gleaning insects from leaves and twigs in the mid to upper canopy. Its subtle olive plumage is offset by a distinctive golden-yellow forehead patch. Like other vireos, it weaves a delicate hanging cup nest suspended from a forked twig. It is generally quiet and inconspicuous, more often detected by its thin, sibilant calls.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, frequently joining mixed-species foraging flocks. The nest is a delicate hanging cup attached to a forked twig, built by both sexes. Clutches are small, and both parents participate in incubation and feeding.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Thin, sibilant phrases and high chips delivered at intervals from within the canopy. The song is modest and unobtrusive, often a series of soft, slightly buzzy notes that can be hard to locate.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with paler yellowish underparts and a neat, compact appearance; lacks wing bars. Forehead shows a distinct golden to yellow-orange patch; throat whitish to pale yellow with smooth, unstreaked texture.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as caterpillars, beetles, and spiders gleaned from leaves and fine branches. It methodically inspects foliage, often hanging briefly to reach the underside of leaves. Occasional small berries may be taken, especially when insect prey is scarce.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the mid to upper canopy of forest edges, secondary growth, and semi-open woodland. Often forages alongside other insectivorous passerines in mixed-species flocks.
