It breeds in highlands from southern Mexico south to northwestern Bolivia.

The adult brown-capped vireo is 12–12.7 cm in length and weighs 12 g. It has olive-green upperparts and a brown crown.

There is a brown line from the bill through the eyes, and a white supercilium.

The face and throat are off-white, and the underparts are otherwise yellow with some olive on the flanks.

[citation needed] This vireo occurs in the canopy and middle levels of light woodland, the edges of forest, and other semi-open habitats at altitudes from 500 to 2500 m.[2] Brown-capped vireos feed on caterpillars and other insects gleaned from tree foliage.