Noronha elaenia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Noronha elaenia |
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| Noronha elaenia at Fernando de Noronha, Brazil | |
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| Genus: |
Elaenia
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| Species: |
ridleyana
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The Noronha elaenia (Elaenia ridleyana) is a special type of bird. It belongs to the tyrant-flycatcher family, which are known for catching insects in the air. This bird lives only on Fernando de Noronha, a group of small islands near Brazil. It used to be thought of as a type of large elaenia, but scientists now know it's different because of its unique calls and songs.
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About the Noronha Elaenia
What Does It Look Like?
The Noronha elaenia is a medium-sized bird, about 17 cm (6.7 inches) long. It has an olive-brown head that is slightly crested, meaning it has a small tuft of feathers on top. Its back and upper parts are also olive-brown.
Its wings are a bit darker, with two white stripes called wingbars. The bird's throat and chest are grey. This grey color fades into a yellowish belly. Both male and female Noronha elaenias look the same. We don't know much about how young birds look. When hunting, this bird sits up straight, watching for its next meal.
Where Does It Live and What Does It Eat?
The Noronha elaenia lives in many different places on the Fernando de Noronha islands. You can find it in forests, open woodlands, and even in bushy areas around houses. It likes thickets, which are dense groups of shrubs or small trees.
This bird mainly eats insects, which it catches while flying. It also enjoys eating fruit. One of its favorite fruits comes from a fig tree called Ficus noronhae, which also grows on the island.
Why Is It Endangered?
The Noronha elaenia is a rare bird because its home is shrinking. The total area where this bird lives is only about 18 square kilometers (7 square miles). A lot of the original forest on Fernando de Noronha has been lost. This happened after people from Europe first arrived on the islands.
Because of this, the Noronha elaenia is now the least common land bird left on the island. Scientists have counted the birds and believe there are only about 480 of them left. New plans to build more tourism on the island could cause even more problems for these birds. This might mean losing more of their habitat. It also risks bringing in new animals like rats, which could harm the birds or their eggs.
