Forest Elaenia
A species of Myiopagis Elaenias Scientific name : Myiopagis gaimardii Genus : Myiopagis Elaenias
Forest Elaenia, A species of Myiopagis Elaenias
Botanical name: Myiopagis gaimardii
Genus: Myiopagis Elaenias
Content
Description
Description
The forest elaenia (Myiopagis gaimardii) is a small passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family. It breeds from Panama through Colombia, Venezuela and the Guianas to Bolivia and Brazil. It also occurs on Trinidad. This species is found in forests and the edges of mangrove swamps. The nest is a shallow cup of roots, bark and grass built in a tree. The typical clutch is two cream-coloured eggs marked with rufous and lavender. The adult forest elaenia is 12.7 cm long and weighs 12.2g. The head has a blackish crown with a partly concealed white or pale yellow central stripe, a weak whitish supercilium and white eyering. The upperparts are olive-green, and the brown wings have yellow feather edging and two yellow wing bars. The throat is whitish and the breast is greenish-yellow shading to yellow on the belly. The long narrow bill is black above and pink-based below. Sexes are similar. M. g. trinitatis, the subspecies endemic to Trinidad, is larger and has duller upper parts than mainland forms. Forest elaenias are seen alone or in pairs, perched inconspicuously or catching insects and spiders in higher levels of the foliage. They also frequently eat berries. They have a sharp pitch-weep call.
Size
13 cm
Feeding Habits
Forest Elaenia predominantly consumes insects, supplemented with berries and small fruits. This species employs active foraging methods, often hunting for prey among foliage. A notable adaptation is its varied diet, allowing flexibility within its forest habitat.
Habitat
Forest Elaenia inhabits primarily tropical lowland evergreen forests, including forest borders and gallery forests. It is also present, though less frequently, in deciduous forests and secondary woodlands. Forest Elaenia is often associated with emergent trees and forest openings such as treefall gaps, small streams, and clearings. Its habitat range extends mainly below 1000 meters but can be found up to 1500 meters in elevation across broader geographical regions within the tropics.
Dite type
Insectivorous
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Tyrant flycatchers Genus
Myiopagis Elaenias Species
Forest Elaenia