Large Elaenia

Overview

The large elaenia (Elaenia spectabilis) is a species of tyrant flycatcher found across South America. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, although its population is believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• Size and build: 16.5 to 18 cm long and 20 to 35 g, with a small crest and sexual monomorphism.
• Plumage: Dark grayish olive upperparts, dusky wings with three white wing bars, grayish throat, dark olive-gray breast, and yellow belly.
• Head and bill: Olive-brown head with minimal or no white stripe on the crest; black bill with a pale pinkish mandible base and black legs.
• Vocalisation: A shrill, repetitious 'twee-wee-tweet' dawn song and calls described as 'cleeur', 'wheeo', 'wheer', and 'cheer'.

Habitat

Inhabits the Amazon Basin, extending from southeastern Colombia and eastern Ecuador eastwards through Brazil to northwestern Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Prefers edges and shrubby openings in lowland, secondary, and riparian forests in early succession stages, favouring river islands and fruiting trees during the austral winter.

Diet

Feeds on insects and fruit, typically foraging alone high in the forest canopy. Captures prey and plucks fruit by gleaning while perched or briefly hovering.

Did you know?

The species is monotypic, meaning no subspecies are currently recognised. In the mid-twentieth century, some authors treated it as conspecific with the yellow-bellied elaenia, while others unsuccessfully suggested the Noronha elaenia was a subspecies.