Pacific Elaenia

Myiopagis subplacens

Tyrant Flycatchers and Allies · Passeriformes · Rare

The Pacific Elaenia (Myiopagis subplacens) is a rare tyrant flycatcher found in 2 countries, weighing about 16 g. The Pacific elaenia is a species of bird in subfamily Elaeniinae of family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers.

Least ConcernRareEats invertebrateswoodland16 g

About the Pacific Elaenia

The Pacific elaenia is a species of bird in subfamily Elaeniinae of family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The Pacific elaenia is about 14 cm (5.5 in) long; one male weighed 14.9 g (0.53 oz) and four females averaged 16.9 g (0.60 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a gray-brown crown with a partially concealed bright yellow stripe along its middle. They have whitish lores, a partial white eyering, a grizzled whitish lower face with blackish ends on the ear coverts, and a wide whitish supercilium that continues down behind the black of the ear coverts. Their upperparts are brownish olive. Voice: The Pacific elaenia's dawn song is "an endlessly repeated 'chrrr, chrrr, che-wik, chrrr, chrrr, che-wik...' ". During the day it sings "a sharp, burry PJIT! djurrrree, the second note rising" and its calls include "a gruff pjrt and similar notes".

What the Pacific Elaenia sounds like

Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

When to see it

The Pacific Elaenia can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Pacific Elaenia?
The Pacific elaenia is about 14 cm (5.5 in) long; one male weighed 14.9 g (0.53 oz) and four females averaged 16.9 g (0.60 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Pacific Elaenia?
The Pacific Elaenia is a small sized bird weighing about 16 g.
Where can you see a Pacific Elaenia?
The Pacific Elaenia occurs in 2 countries, including Ecuador and Peru.
What does a Pacific Elaenia sound like?
You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Pacific Elaenia on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
What birds look similar to a Pacific Elaenia?
The Pacific Elaenia is most easily confused with the Yellow-crowned Elaenia, the Jamaican Elaenia and the Foothill Elaenia.
Is the Pacific Elaenia endangered?
The Pacific Elaenia is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Pacific 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.

Play BeakBrain

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.