The yellow-throated vireo is a small American songbird.
Region
Eastern North America to northern Central America and northern South America
Typical Environment
Breeds across southeastern Canada and the eastern United States in mature deciduous and mixed forests. During migration it passes through the eastern and central U.S. and eastern Mexico. In winter it inhabits southern Mexico through Central America to northern South America, including Colombia and Venezuela, and locally in the Caribbean. It favors forest edges, riparian woodlands, and interior openings with a well-developed canopy. Wintering birds use semi-open forests, shade coffee, and second-growth edges where fruit is available.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The yellow-throated vireo is noted for its bright yellow throat and bold 'spectacled' eye-ring, making it one of the more striking vireos. It builds a deep, pendant cup nest bound with spider silk and often decorated with lichen. Pairs are strongly bonded and both sexes feed the young. Its song is a series of rich, burry two-part phrases delivered at measured intervals.
Yellow-throated vireo Galveston, Texas
South Padre Island – Texas
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short, direct flights with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically forms monogamous pairs during the breeding season and defends a territory. The nest is a deep, hanging cup placed in a horizontal fork, woven with plant fibers and spider silk and camouflaged with lichen. Both parents incubate and feed the nestlings, and family groups may remain together for a short period after fledging.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Delivers a series of rich, burry, two-syllable phrases spaced at steady intervals, often likened to a slower, more emphatic vireo song. Calls include harsh scolds and sharp chips when alarmed.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with a bright yellow throat and upper breast, clean white belly and undertail. Two bold white wing bars contrast with dusky wings. The face shows prominent yellow 'spectacles' formed by a yellow eye-ring and lores. Plumage is crisp, with subtle gray tones on the head and flanks.
Diet
Primarily eats insects and other arthropods, including caterpillars, beetles, leafhoppers, and spiders. It gleans prey deliberately from leaves and twigs and occasionally hover-gleans from foliage. During late summer and on the wintering grounds, it supplements its diet with small fruits and berries.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the mid to upper canopy of mature deciduous or mixed woodlands and along forest edges and riparian corridors. In winter it uses semi-open forests, second growth, and agroforestry systems such as shade coffee where both insects and small fruits are available.
