Large Elaenia (Elaenia spectabilis)

Identification & Behavior: ~17 cm (6.6 in). The Large Elaenia has a gray-olive back. The wing coverts are dusky with three whitish wing bars. It does not show a crest and the white crown patch is small and concealed. The base of the lower mandible is yellow-orange. The throat and breast are grayish grading to yellowish towards the rest of the underparts. It forages at forest edges, second growth, and semi-open habitats. It is similar to the Mottle-backed Elaenia but is distinguished by not showing a crest, plain back, and three wing bars. Also, see Yellow-bellied Elaenia.

Status: The Large Elaenia is a fairly common Austral migrant widespread in Amazonia where it is known to range up to 1400 m along the foothill of the Andes. It is expected in Amazonia during the months of March through October. The Large Elaenia also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Fío-Fío Grande.

Sub-species: Large Elaenia (Elaenia spectabilis), Pelzeln, 1868.

Meaning of Name: Elaenia: Gr. elaineos= of olive-oil, oleaginous. spectabilis: L. spectare= to observe, spectabilis= remarkable, showy.

See more of the Family Tyrannidae