Small-headed Elaenia

Overview

The small-headed elaenia (Elaenia sordida), also known as the Brazilian elaenia, is a species of tyrant flycatcher classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. It is a large, crested-less elaenia that is monotypic and was previously considered a subspecies of the highland elaenia.

Identification

• 16 to 20 cm long with dark olive upperparts and a dark olive head featuring lighter cheeks, a dusky loral spot, and a thin whitish eyering.
• Wings are mostly dusky with pale flight feather edges and whitish to yellowish coverts showing as two bars on the closed wing.
• Underparts include a grayish yellow chin and throat, dull gray-olive breast and flanks, and grayish yellow belly and undertail coverts.
• Song is described as a high, melodious 'the-weedrr-wee-der-wee', accompanied by a nasal 'rrree' call.

Habitat

Found in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, this species inhabits the undergrowth and edges of humid subtropical and temperate forest, secondary forest, coastal restinga, and forest fragments. In Brazil, it occurs at elevations between 2,150 and 3,000 m, and it tolerates rather disturbed and fragmented habitats.

Diet

The small-headed elaenia feeds on insects and fruit, primarily foraging near the top of the forest canopy while remaining hidden. It gleans from perches, briefly hovers, and makes short upward sallies to catch insects in mid-air.

Did you know?

The species was previously treated as a subspecies of the highland elaenia, with the two being split into separate taxa between 2016 and 2020.