Mountain Elaenia

Overview

The mountain elaenia (Elaenia frantzii) is a small passerine bird belonging to the tyrant flycatcher family. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, although its estimated population is believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• Small to medium-sized elaenia, 14 to 15 cm long, with a rounded crest.
• Nominate adults feature a brownish-olive head with lighter cheeks, a thin pale olive eyering, and a mostly hidden white crown patch.
• Upperparts are grayish olive with dusky wings showing pale olive or olive-yellow edges and yellowish-olive covert tips.
• Underparts are pale yellowish-olive on the chin, throat, and flanks, transitioning to pale straw-yellow on the lower breast and belly.

Habitat

Found across a disjunct range in Central and South America, the species primarily inhabits cloud forest in Central America and open woodlands, scrublands, and pastures with scattered trees in South America. It occurs at elevations ranging from 600 to 3,000 m depending on the region.

Diet

This species feeds on small fruits and insects, with fruit comprising a larger proportion of its diet than is typical for its genus. Foraging occurs at all forest levels, typically in dense foliage, using methods such as gleaning while perched, brief hovering, and short sallies for ground prey.

Did you know?

Despite being a passerine, the mountain elaenia tolerates a degree of urbanisation due to its preference for open woodlands, allowing it to occur in suburban habitats.