Elaenia sordida
The Large-headed Elaenia (Elaenia sordida), often also known as the Grey-headed Elaenia, is a distinctive member of the Tyrannidae family, a diverse group of tyrant flycatchers. Measuring approximately 15-16 cm (6 inches) in length and weighing around 20-25 grams, this species exhibits a rather nondescript but elegant appearance with greyish-olive upperparts, a somewhat darker head, and a prominent white eye-ring. Its most reliable field marks include two distinct yellowish-white wing bars an...
This adaptable flycatcher primarily inhabits a variety of open woodland types, including forest edges, secondary growth, plantations, parks, and gardens, from sea level up to 2,000 meters in elevation, occasionally higher.
Their diet consists of a mix of insects, including flies, beetles, and wasps, which are either hawked in flight or gleaned from vegetation, supplemented by small fruits and berries, especially during certain seasons.
Large-headed Elaenias are typically observed solitarily or in pairs, though they may join mixed-species foraging flocks outside the breeding season. They are primarily diurnal, actively foraging from mid-morning to late afternoon, often returning to a favored, concealed perch for roosting at nigh...
The Large-headed Elaenia boasts a wide and stable distribution across much of eastern and southern South America. Its primary breeding and resident range spans eastern and southern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina, extending south to the provinces of Buenos Aires and ...
Least Concern
- The 'Large-headed' in its common name refers to its relatively stout head and bill compared to other Elaenia species, aiding in identification. - Despite its often drab appearance, its semi-concealed white crown patch can be flared to signal excitement or aggression. - It belongs to the Tyranni...