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Forest elaenia facts for kids

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Forest elaenia
Myiopagis gaimardii - Forest Elaenia; Manacapuru, Amazonas, Brazil.jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Myiopagis
Species:
gaimardii
Subspecies
  • M. gaimardii gaimardii
  • M. gaimardii macilvainii
  • M. gaimardii trinitatis
  • M. gaimardii bogotensis
  • M. gaimardii guianensis
  • M. gaimardii subcinereus
Myiopagis gaimardii map.svg

The forest elaenia (Myiopagis gaimardii) is a small passerine bird. A passerine is a type of bird often called a "perching bird" or "songbird." This bird belongs to the tyrant flycatcher family.

You can find the forest elaenia in many places. It lives from Panama through Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guianas. Its home also extends to Bolivia and Brazil. You can even spot it on the island of Trinidad.

Where Forest Elaenias Live

Forest elaenias like to live in thick forests. They also enjoy the edges of mangrove swamps. These are special forests that grow in salty water.

Building a Nest

When it's time to have babies, the forest elaenia builds a nest. The nest is like a shallow cup. It's made from small roots, pieces of bark, and grass. They build these cozy nests high up in trees.

Usually, a female forest elaenia lays two eggs. The eggs are a pretty cream color. They often have small marks of reddish-brown and light purple.

What Does a Forest Elaenia Look Like?

The adult forest elaenia is about 12.7 centimeters (5 inches) long. That's about the length of a pen! It weighs around 12.2 grams, which is very light.

Colors and Markings

This bird has a dark, almost black, cap on its head. It also has a hidden white or pale yellow stripe in the middle of its head. You might notice a faint whitish line above its eye. There's also a clear white ring around its eye.

Its back and upper parts are a nice olive-green color. The wings are brown, but they have bright yellow edges on their feathers. You can also see two yellow bars across each wing.

The throat of the forest elaenia is whitish. Its chest is a greenish-yellow color. This color fades to a brighter yellow on its belly. Its bill is long and thin. The top part is black, and the bottom part is pink near its face. Both male and female forest elaenias look very similar.

Special Subspecies

There's a special type of forest elaenia found only on Trinidad. It's called M. g. trinitatis. This subspecies is a bit bigger than the ones on the mainland. Its upper parts are also a bit duller in color.

How Forest Elaenias Behave

You'll usually see forest elaenias alone or in pairs. They often perch quietly, blending into the trees. They are good at catching insects and spiders. They find these tasty treats in the higher parts of the tree leaves.

What They Eat

Besides insects and spiders, forest elaenias also love to eat berries. Berries are an important part of their diet.

Their Call

If you listen carefully, you might hear their call. It's a sharp sound that sounds like "pitch-weep."

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