Lesser elaenia

Elaenia chiriquensis

Photo by Marlos Menêzes (Flickr)

Common name:
lesser elaenia (en); chibum (pt); élénie menue (fr); fiofío belicoso (es); grauwangen-olivtyrann (de)


Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Tyrannidae


Range:
This species is found in Central and South America, from Costa Rica to Missiones, in Argentina.


Size:
These birds are 14 cm long and weigh 15-18 g.


Habitat:
Lesser elaenias are mostly found in tropical dry savannas, but also in dry scrublands, dry forests, along river and creeks. They are also found in human-modified habitats, like second growths, plantations and arable land.


Diet:
These birds are mostly insectivorous, capturing insects in flight. When in season, the fruits of Miconia scrubs are also an important food source.


Breeding:
Lesser elaenias breed in September-December. The nest is a shallow cup made of plant fibres and grasses, placed in a fork in a tree. The female lays 1-3 pale cream eggs with dark spots, which are incubated for 12-15 days. The chicks fledge 15 days after hatching.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to fires, over-grazing by cattle, slash-and burn agriculture and selective logging.