Small-billed Elaenia
Elaenia parvirostris
A fairly small and very dull-looking flycatcher. Grayish brown above and whitish below with a thin white eyering, three pale wingbars, and pinkish base to the bill. Note the round head with only a very slight crested appearance. Found in woodlands and edges up to around 1,200 m. Breeds from southern Brazil to central Argentina, migrating north in the austral winter to far northern South America. Extremely similar to White-crested Elaenia, which tends to show a less obvious eyering and has only two wingbars. Note vocalizations, which include a slightly burry “wh’eer” call, a fast complex “tweedle-twee,” and single “pip” notes.
Identification
The small-billed elaenia (Elaenia parvirostris) is a species of bird in subfamily Elaeniinae of family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in every mainland South American country except Chile, plus Aruba and Trinidad.
Taxonomy
Genus: Elaenia; Family: Tyrannidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Elaenia parvirostris
- Authority
- Pelzeln, 1868
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Elaenia
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Pied Stilt
Himantopus leucocephalus
Large black-and-white shorebird with long straight, needle-like bill, and very long pink legs. Note black hind-neck. Juveniles lacks the black hind-neck and has a dark gray crown. Occurs in small groups or in immense flocks, usually close to water. Makes dog-like yapping calls (think Chihuahua).
Yellow-bellied Dacnis
Dacnis flaviventer
Small, sharp-billed tanager of tropical lowlands. Males have a black back, bright yellow underparts, and a black mask. Females are brown above and dull yellow below. Both sexes have bright red eyes. Females similar to other female dacnis, but note red eyes and higher contrast between brown upperparts and lighter tan underparts. Found in young rainforest, forest edges, and similar open forested habitats, where it forages in the canopy singly or in pairs, often joining mixed-species flocks.
Gray-headed Elaenia
Myiopagis caniceps
Small flycatcher found in humid forest in lowlands and lower mountain slopes. Male is gray with paler underparts and dark wings with white wingbars. Female looks quite different with olive upperparts and yellowish underparts. She is very similar to Forest Elaenia, but has a paler and cleaner (not mottled) breast. Gray-headed Elaenia is also very similar to Amazonian Elaenia, but note its more southerly range. In areas where their ranges meet, identification may have to be confirmed by voice, though Gray-headed Elaenia usually shows a contrasting pale white or yellow eye. Typical song is a rapid, slightly descending trill, often preceded by one or more clear whistles. Usually stays high in the forest, often in the canopy.
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