By Sally Siko

Every once in a while, I start seeing certain species of birds more often than others.
In this case I’ve noticed Yellow-throated Vireos seem to be flying around NC in greater numbers than in the past 5 years.
I spotted this one snacking on a caterpillar while leading a tour at the Brumley North Nature Preserve last month.

While I don’t know the exact reason for the influx (it could just be luck-right place/right time scenario) I’m certainly happy to to have the opportunity to photograph them again without much effort.
In this case I was delighted to get a close up look at this beauty as he worked to eat the large caterpillar.
Apparently the bird did not want to gulp down its prey while it was still wriggling so pinching it between its bill, the vireo would smash the caterpillar into the branch repeatedly until it stopped moving.
Kind of reminded me of a kid twirling a wet noodle lol!

Though they share similar calls, Yellow-throated Vireos favor a different habitat preference to their more often seen relative, the White-eyed Vireo.
*Open areas- White eyed
*Woods- Yellow throated
Yellow-throated tend to shun pine barrens are best found foraging in the high canopy’s of the treetops in old growth deciduous forests and occasionally near wooded streams.
The White-eyed Vireo is usually found hunting for a meal in low brushy areas along the edges of fields or in stands of saplings or open woods.
These habitat preferences make these birds a little easier to ID by sound depending where you are even if you can’t get a good look at the bird.

These cheerful little guys will stick around NC for just about another week or two before heading to their wintering grounds in Central and South America, south Florida and on through to the coast of Texas.
Get out and enjoy them while you can!

Photos by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on my beloved full frame 50MP beast, the mighty @canonusa #5Ds