Setophaga virens, commonly known as the Black-throated Green Warbler, is native to North America. Its geographical distribution spans from southeastern Canada down through the northeastern and north-central United States during the breeding season, including regions in the Appalachian Mountains. During the non-breeding season, it migrates to Central America and the Caribbean, including countries like Honduras, Nicaragua, and Cuba.

The Black-throated Green Warbler typically inhabits coniferous and mixed conifer-deciduous forests during the breeding season. It prefers mature forests with dense canopies and open understories, often found at mid to high elevations in its northern range. The climate in these regions can vary from temperate in the northeastern United States to boreal in Canada.

This species plays a role in the forest ecosystem primarily as an insectivore, feeding on a variety of insects and spiders. Its presence helps control insect populations. It exhibits some flexibility in habitat preference during migration, adapting to various forest types, including evergreen and second-growth woodlands in its winter habitats. The species' adaptability to different forest environments during migration aids its survival across a broad geographical range.