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.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Elaenia parvirostris
- Authority
- Pelzeln, 1868
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Elaenia
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Indian Scops-Owl
Otus bakkamoena
Medium-sized scops-owl with prominent ear tufts and dark eyes. Coloration variable, ranging from gray to brown, but dark eyes, thin black border around the facial disc, and lightly streaked underparts remain constant. Gives bouncy amphibian-like barks at changing intervals. Inhabits forests, forest edges, parks, and gardens from lowlands up into foothill and montane regions.
Western Black-headed Oriole
Oriolus brachyrynchus
An Old World oriole with mostly yellow plumage, a black hood, and a red bill. Note the fairly plain olive-and-black wing with a small white patch along the front edge. Found in rainforest canopy at low and middle elevations. Similar to Black-winged Oriole and found in the same habitat, but distinguished by the olive-green rather than black center of the tail and by the white patch on the wing. Also similar to African Black-headed Oriole, but usually separated by habitat and range. Further distinguished by the wing pattern, which is plainer, without bold white feather edgings.
Great Kiskadee
Pitangus sulphuratus
Large, boldly marked, and boisterous flycatcher. Rather stocky with large head and short tail. Looks bright and contrasty with yellow belly, black-and-white head pattern, and rufous wings and tail. Common and widespread throughout Middle and South America, with limited range in the U.S. (Texas). Occurs in shrubby woodlands, often near clearings or bodies of water. Listen for loud “kis-ka-dee” calls, which helps separate from similar species like Lesser Kiskadee and Boat-billed Flycatcher.
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