That’s the description Kenn Kaufman gives for the yellow-throated vireo.

Though this bird’s summer range extends from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes, it’s a rare year that I actually see one. 

Yellow-throated vireos stay high in the trees and move slowly as they forage, so there’s no quick movement to catch my eye. 

Usually I hear them singing a burry “three eight (pause) three eight,” like a red-eyed vireo with a sore throat.

Prior to this spring it was a very long time between sightings for me, but last week I saw several and Cris Hamilton photographed this one at Harrison Hills.

You can even tell why he’s hard to see.  Though his throat is yellow, he matches the leaves.

(photo by Cris Hamilton)