Caribbean Elaenia
Elaenia martinica
The Caribbean Elaenia (Elaenia martinica) is a uncommon tyrant flycatcher found in 23 countries, weighing about 21 g. The Caribbean elaenia is a species of bird in subfamily Elaeniinae of family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers.
About the Caribbean Elaenia
The Caribbean elaenia is a species of bird in subfamily Elaeniinae of family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in the West Indies, in parts of Central America, and on islands just off the northern South American coast.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Caribbean elaenia is 14 to 18 cm (5.5 to 7.1 in) long and weighs 18 to 29 g (0.63 to 1.0 oz). It is largish elaenia and has a bushy crest. The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies E. m. martinica have a dull olive to brownish olive crown with a white stripe in the middle of the crest. They have whitish lores and a faint whitish eyering on an otherwise mottled gray-brown face. Their upperparts are dull olive to brownish olive. Their wings are dusky with yellowish to whitish edges on the flight feathers and tips on the coverts; the latter show as two wing bars. Voice: The Caribbean elaenia's song is a "drawn-out pee-wee-reereeree". Its call is a repeated "jui-up, wit-churr".
Where it lives
When to see it
The Caribbean Elaenia can be seen all year round, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Caribbean Elaenia?
- The Caribbean elaenia is 14 to 18 cm (5.5 to 7.1 in) long and weighs 18 to 29 g (0.63 to 1.0 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Caribbean Elaenia?
- The Caribbean Elaenia is a small sized bird weighing about 21 g.
- Where can you see a Caribbean Elaenia?
- The Caribbean Elaenia occurs in 23 countries, including Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands, Mexico and Barbados.
- What birds look similar to a Caribbean Elaenia?
- The Caribbean Elaenia is most easily confused with the Small-billed Elaenia, the Large Elaenia and the Lesser Elaenia.
- Is the Caribbean Elaenia endangered?
- The Caribbean Elaenia is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Caribbean Elaenia for real
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