Highland Elaenia
Elaenia obscura
The Highland Elaenia (Elaenia obscura) is a rare tyrant flycatcher found in 5 countries, weighing about 24 g. The highland elaenia is a species of bird in subfamily Elaeniinae of family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers.
About the Highland Elaenia
The highland elaenia is a species of bird in subfamily Elaeniinae of family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The highland elaenia is 16 to 19 cm (6.3 to 7.5 in) long and weighs about 14 to 24 g (0.49 to 0.85 oz). It is a large elaenia without a crest. The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a dark grayish olive head with lighter cheeks, a dusky loral spot, and a thin whitish eyering. Their upperparts are dark grayish olive. Their wings are mostly dusky with pale edges on the flight feathers. The tips of their wing coverts are yellowish and show as two bars on the closed wing. Their tail is dusky with white tips on unworn feathers. Voice: The highland elaenia's song differs somewhat across its range, but the songs are variations on a "weehr-drrrr-whee" phrase. Short notes or whistles are sometimes added. The species' call is "a rising-falling or purely descending 'breerr' ".
What the Highland Elaenia sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Brazil.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Highland Elaenia?
- The highland elaenia is 16 to 19 cm (6.3 to 7.5 in) long and weighs about 14 to 24 g (0.49 to 0.85 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Highland Elaenia?
- The Highland Elaenia is a small sized bird weighing about 24 g.
- Where can you see a Highland Elaenia?
- The Highland Elaenia occurs in 5 countries, including Peru, Argentina, Bolivia and Ecuador.
- What does a Highland Elaenia sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the Highland Elaenia on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Highland Elaenia?
- The Highland Elaenia is most easily confused with the Mottle-backed Elaenia, the Blue Mountain Elaenia and the Slaty Elaenia.
- Is the Highland Elaenia endangered?
- The Highland Elaenia is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Highland Elaenia for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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