Elaenia dayi
The Great Elaenia (Elaenia dayi) is a distinctive, albeit subtly plumaged, flycatcher within the diverse Tyrannidae family, known for its restricted range in the high Venezuelan Andes. Measuring approximately 15-16 cm in length, it exhibits a dull olive-green back and head, contrasting with a grayish-white throat and breast that subtly transitions to a yellowish wash on the belly. Key field marks include two pale wing-bars, a faint pale eye-ring, and a relatively short, shaggy crest that is o...
This species primarily inhabits montane evergreen forests, cloud forests, and their borders, typically found at elevations between 1,700 and 3,000 meters.
Its diet consists primarily of insects, including flies, beetles, and moths, which it catches through aerial sallies or by gleaning. It also supplements its insectivorous diet with small berries and fruits.
The Great Elaenia is generally observed singly or in pairs, frequently joining mixed-species foraging flocks, especially outside the breeding season. It employs classic flycatcher foraging techniques, sallying out from exposed perches at mid-canopy level to snatch insects in mid-air, or gleaning ...
The Great Elaenia is entirely endemic to the Venezuelan Andes, with its range primarily confined to the Cordillera de Mérida. This distribution spans across the states of Mérida, Trujillo, Lara, and Táchira. It is a resident species, exhibiting no significant migratory movements, remaining within...
Least Concern
- The Great Elaenia is endemic to the high-altitude cloud forests of the Venezuelan Andes, making it a sought-after species for regional bird enthusiasts. - Despite its common name, "Great Elaenia," it's not exceptionally large overall but is considered one of the larger species within the extens...