Lesser Elaenia

The lesser elaenia, Elaenia chiriquensis, is a modestly plumaged species of bird belonging to the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. This small bird is an inconspicuous inhabitant of various open landscapes.

Identification Tips

To identify the lesser elaenia, look for its subtle features: a slight crest, a whitish eyering, and two wing bars. The bird's upperparts are generally olive-green, while the underparts are pale with a wash of yellow.

Habitat

The lesser elaenia is found in a range of habitats including dry savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland. It also occupies heavily degraded former forests, adapting to a variety of environmental conditions.

Distribution

This species has a broad range across Latin America. It can be spotted from Costa Rica and Panama, through Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas, down to Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. It also appears on islands such as Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Netherlands Antilles.

Behaviour

The lesser elaenia is known for its unobtrusive nature. It typically goes about its activities quietly, blending into its surroundings, making it a challenge at times for birdwatchers to spot.

Subspecies

There are two recognized subspecies of the lesser elaenia:

• E. c. chiriquensis, found in Costa Rica and Panama.
• E. c. albivertex, ranging from Colombia to the Guianas, Brazil, and northern Argentina.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List categorizes the lesser elaenia as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population levels that would warrant a higher degree of conservation action.