The plain-crested elaenia is a species of bird in subfamily Elaeniinae of family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Northern and Central South America
Typical Environment
Occupies open and semi-open habitats including cerrado savanna, llanos grasslands, shrubby edges, and gallery woodlands. It frequents forest borders, scattered trees, and human-altered clearings with patches of scrub. Often found near watercourses in savanna mosaics and in secondary growth. Tolerant of moderately disturbed habitats but avoids dense interior rainforest.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
A small tyrant flycatcher of open savannas and scrub, the plain-crested elaenia is named for its modest, often erectable crest. It often perches conspicuously to sally out for insects and will also consume small fruits, especially in the dry season. Its simple, nasal song helps birders distinguish it from similar elaenias in South America.
Temperament
alert and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent short sallies
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Outside breeding, it may join loose mixed-species flocks in open woodland and edges. Nest is a small cup placed in a fork or on a horizontal branch in low to mid-level shrubs or trees, with clutches usually of two eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a simple, nasal series of repeated whistles and squeaky phrases delivered from exposed perches. Calls include sharp chips and buzzy notes used during foraging and territorial interactions.
Plumage
Plain olive-brown upperparts with grayish-olive tones, pale gray breast, and whitish throat and belly. Two pale wing bars are evident on dusky wings. A small, plain, often erect crest gives the head a slightly peaked profile.
Diet
Primarily captures small flying insects by sallying from perches and also gleans from foliage. Supplements its diet with berries and small fruits, particularly when insect prey is less abundant. Occasionally takes small arthropods from leaves and twigs in shrubs and scattered trees.
Preferred Environment
Forages along edges of savanna patches, open woodland, and scrub with scattered trees. Often uses perch-hunting from fence lines, shrubs, and low canopy edges, and visits fruiting bushes in season.
