Olivaceous Elaenia

Uniquely colored large pigeon of mid- to high-altitude broadleaf and mixed forests. Grayish overall, with a deep maroon back, ashy gray head, chestnut streaking on the belly, and fine white spots on the upperwing. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, feeding at fruiting trees. Listen out for its call, a deep, booming ‘Woo-hoo! Hooo…hooo,’ often heard emanating from the canopy.

A fairly small bird of lowland and foothill forest understory. Male has deep-blue upperparts, head, and chest and a white belly. Told from Black-naped Monarch by its black mark between the eye and bill and from Celestial Monarch by its shorter, bushy crest. Female is told from other monarchs by its gray-blue upperparts. Song is a series of clear piping notes, increasing in volume. Also gives a 2- to 3-note call of sharp rasping notes with the first note higher-pitched.

At rest, the pale brown-gray of the body contrasts with its black bill and iris, pale wing panel framed by a black border. In flight the dark under and upper wing contrasts with a pale wing panel and brown-gray coverts. Tail mostly white, but central tail feathers are gray-brown mostly covering tail from above. Generally found in open areas including grassland, savanna, at the forest edge, and often urban areas. The voice is a series of “U-wooh U-wooh U-wooh U-wooh” notes.