Caribbean Elaenia

Overview

The Caribbean elaenia (Elaenia martinica) is a species of tyrant flycatcher found in the West Indies, parts of Central America, and islands off the northern South American coast. As a large elaenia, it is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with an estimated population of at least 500,000 mature individuals.

Identification

• Measures 14 to 18 cm in length and weighs 18 to 29 g, characterised by a bushy crest and a dull olive to brownish olive body.
• The nominate subspecies displays a white stripe in the middle of the crest, whitish lores, and a mottled gray-brown face with a sooty gray throat.
• Wings feature two wing bars on the coverts with yellowish to whitish edges on the flight feathers, while the tail is dusky.
• All subspecies possess a dark brown iris, a black bill with a dusky pinkish base to the mandible, and black legs and feet.

Habitat

This species inhabits most lowland landscapes within its range, including the canopy and edges of humid evergreen forests, deciduous woodlands, scrublands, parks, gardens, and coastal mangroves. It also occurs in the mountains of the southern Lesser Antilles, ranging in elevation from sea level to approximately 700 m.

Diet

The Caribbean elaenia feeds on insects and fruit, foraging usually singly or in pairs within the lower to middle levels of its habitat. It captures prey and plucks fruit by gleaning while perched or briefly hovering.

Did you know?

Its song is a distinctive, drawn-out 'pee-wee-reereeree', contrasting with its call which is described as a repeated 'jui-up, wit-churr'.