Plain-crested Elaenia (Elaenia cristata)

Identification & Behavior: ~13 cm (5.1 in). The Plain-crested Elaenia has gray upperparts. The well developed and tall crest seems to originate from the forehead, with the rest of the head mostly round. It does not have a white crown patch. It has a thin pale eye-ring. The wing coverts are dusky with two whitish wing bars. The throat and breast are grayish and grade to yellowish towards the center of the underparts. The base of the lower mandible is yellow-orange. It forages in semi-open areas with scattered trees and shrubs. It is similar to the Lesser Elaenia but is distinguished by a tall crest that never has a white crown patch. Also, see Yellow-bellied Elaenia.

Status: The Plain-crested Elaenia is fairly common but has a very restricted range in Peru. It is only known to occur in the xeric middle Urubamba Valley in Cuzco and the savannah habitat of Pampas del Heath in extreme SE Peru. It also occurs in Co, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Fío-Fío de Cresta Simple.

Sub-species: Plain-crested Elaenia (Elaenia cristata cristata), Pelzeln, 1868.

Meaning of Name: Elaenia: Gr. elaineos= of olive-oil, oleaginous. cristata: L. crista= crest, plume, tuft, cristatus= crested, plumed, tufted.

See more of the Family Tyrannidae