Vireo approximans was studied on Providencia and Santa Catalina in Colombia. Captured birds were described with an olive head, a strong yellow eye area and three pale yellow wing bars.
The study found no plumage difference among its two captured males and two females. The birds had an olive crown and nape, a strong yellow area around and in front of the eye, three cream-yellow wing bars, a stout bill and brown iris.
On Providencia and Santa Catalina, the study recorded birds in forest and mangrove canopies, at edges and in secondary vegetation, gardens and along roads. Foraging, resting and singing were observed; stomach contents from captured birds included insect legs and seeds. Some observations involved pairs or groups of up to five.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.