Elaenia brachyptera
The Coopmans's Elaenia (Elaenia brachyptera) is a subtle yet distinctive member of the tyrant-flycatcher family, Tyrannidae, a group renowned for its challenging identification. This small passerine typically measures 12-13 cm in length and weighs a modest 12-14 grams, presenting an overall olive-green plumage above with a paler, often yellowish-white belly and throat. Key field marks for identification include two prominent whitish wing-bars, a faint white eye-ring that can be difficult to d...
Primarily inhabits humid montane forests, cloud forests, and forest edges, as well as degraded woodlands and clearings with scattered trees. It is typically found at elevations between 1,000 and 2,800 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming a variety of small arthropods, but also supplements its diet with small berries and fruits, especially during non-breeding seasons. It forages by sallying from a perch to catch prey or gleaning from foliage.
Coopmans's Elaenia is generally an active but inconspicuous bird, often observed singly or in pairs, though it may occasionally join mixed-species flocks. It is primarily diurnal, actively foraging during the day and roosting silently in dense foliage at night. Its foraging strategy involves 'sal...
Coopmans's Elaenia has a disjunct distribution across the Andes of South America, primarily found in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru. In Venezuela, it occurs in the Andes of Táchira, Mérida, and Trujillo. Its range extends through the Western and Central Andes of Colombia, particu...
Least Concern
- Coopmans's Elaenia was only recognized as a full species in 2008, having previously been considered a subspecies of the widespread White-crested Elaenia. - Its scientific name, *brachyptera*, means 'short-winged,' referring to its relatively short primary projection, a subtle but key diagnostic...