The Greenish Elaenia is a small flycatcher found from Mexico through Central America and much of South America, where it inhabits forest edges, second-growth woodlands, gallery forests, and semi-open habitats. It has olive-green upperparts, pale underparts, subtle wing bars, and a small crest that is often difficult to see. The species feeds primarily on insects captured by gleaning from foliage or making short aerial sallies, although it also eats small fruits. Greenish Elaenias are generally quiet and inconspicuous, spending much of their time in the middle and upper levels of the forest canopy. In North America, the species is an extremely rare vagrant, with only a handful of accepted records, primarily from southern Texas.
Habitat
The Greenish Elaenia inhabits forest edges, second-growth woodlands, gallery forests, tropical scrub, open forests, and semi-open habitats with scattered trees. It is most commonly found in the middle and upper levels of the canopy, especially along woodland borders and clearings. The species also occurs in parks, plantations, and other lightly wooded landscapes where trees and shrubs provide suitable foraging habitat.
Diet
The Greenish Elaenia feeds primarily on small insects, including flies, beetles, caterpillars, and other arthropods, which it gleans from leaves and twigs or captures in short aerial sallies. It also consumes small berries and other fruits, particularly when insects are less abundant.
Behavior
Forages by flitting through the canopy, often quite high, and gleaning insects and spiders from the foliage. Often quite active while foraging, but will also sometimes observe from a perch and fly out to grab insects when spotted, or simply grab insects while perched.
Song
The Greenish Elaenia gives a series of thin, high-pitched whistles and short, buzzy phrases that are repeated from exposed perches in the canopy. Males sing frequently during the breeding season to defend territories and attract mates. The species also produces soft contact calls while foraging, and its vocalizations are often the easiest way to detect this otherwise inconspicuous flycatcher.
Migration
The Greenish Elaenia is primarily a resident species throughout much of its range from Mexico to South America. Some populations make short seasonal or local movements, and birds from the southernmost portions of the range may migrate northward or to lower elevations outside the breeding season. Overall, the species is not considered a long-distance migrant, with most individuals remaining near their breeding areas year-round.
Interactive eBird Map
Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Greenish Elaenia sightings
Conservation Status
The Greenish Elaenia is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature because of its extensive range across Central and South America and its large, apparently stable population. It remains common in a variety of forest-edge, secondary woodland, and semi-open habitats. Although localized deforestation may affect some populations, the species is not currently considered globally threatened.
Further Information
Photo taken by Ron Knight - March 17th, 2010 - San Blas Nayarit, Mexico - Photo licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License.
