Highland Elaenia

Elaenia obscura

Medium-sized flycatcher with a small head and long tail. Found in forests and second growth. Largely olive above with a light gray throat and flanks, and a yellow center to the belly. Note two pale wingbars.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Elaenia obscura
Authority
(d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Elaenia

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Hook-billed Kingfisher

Hook-billed Kingfisher

Melidora macrorrhina

A fairly large, common kingfisher of wooded areas in the lowlands and foothills, even plantations. Very difficult to see. Thick, bicolored bill with a distinct hook, dark wing with large brown spots, black face with a pale stripe below the eye and a finely speckled crown. Much more often heard than seen. Calls pre-dawn and after dusk. Voice, an initial low note, followed by higher notes speeded up, “puuu! pipipi”. Sometimes sounding like dropping a ping pong ball on a table.

Black-and-white Triller

Black-and-white Triller

Lalage melanoleuca

A medium-sized bird of lowland and foothill forest canopy. Has a black tail with white corners, black wings with a large white patch, and a white rump. Male has a black crown and back and entirely white underparts. Females have a gray crown and back. Northern females have white underparts with a barred throat and chest, while southern females have a gray throat and chest with faint barring below. Similar to Pied Triller, but lacks the white brow and is found in forest rather than open habitats. Song consists of a 1- to 3-syllabled whistled phrase repeated 5-20 times in a row.

Red-fronted Parrotlet

Red-fronted Parrotlet

Touit costaricensis

Small parrot with short square tail. Mostly green with red forehead and shoulder. In flight, partially yellow underwings and yellow in tail are visible. Restricted range; prefers montane forests, where it forages inconspicuously in the canopy and is sometimes seen in pairs or small flocks in flight. Combination of small size and tail shape is distinctive in range. Feeds on fruit.

Start Your Bird Watching Journey

Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.