The scrub greenlet or scrub vireo is a small passerine bird in the vireo family. It breeds in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and Tobago. They can be found in the southernmost part of Central America and northern South America, which can be defined as extending from Venezuela to Colombia.
Region
Southern Central America and northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southern Costa Rica and Panama through northern Colombia and Venezuela, and on the island of Tobago. It favors scrub, dry to semi-humid second-growth, forest edges, hedgerows, and open woodland. Often found in degraded habitats and along roadsides where low, patchy vegetation is abundant. Less common in dense interior forest, it prefers mid- to upper-level foliage in open canopies.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the scrub vireo, this small greenlet is common in scrubby edges and second-growth where its yellow legs are a handy field mark. It forages methodically in pairs or mixed-species flocks, gleaning insects from foliage. The species builds a neat hanging cup nest suspended from a forked twig.
Scrub greenlet
Temperament
active and somewhat inconspicuous
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief, direct flights between perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, often joining mixed-species flocks. Builds a delicate cup nest suspended in a fork, with both parents attending young. Territorial during breeding but tolerant of nearby conspecifics in suitable habitat.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers a series of short, clear, vireo-like phrases interspersed with scolding chips. Calls are sharp and inquisitive, often betraying the bird’s presence in dense scrub.
