Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this web-site were taken by Paul Smith, Hemme Batjes, Regis Nossent,
Lars Hansen and Huguito Cabral and are used with their permission.
SMALL-BILLED ELAENIA Elaenia parvirostris
Perhaps the most confusing of all the Elaenias, the variable Small-billed is a birdwatchers nightmare. Found in semi-open scrubby areas he is an inconspicuous bird, easily overlooked amongst the foliage on account of his drab plumage and secretive behaviour.
FIGURE 1 - Adult showing two wing bars, Estancia Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Paul Smith November).
FIGURE 2 - Same individual upperwing (Paul Smith November).
FIGURE 3 - Adult showing three wing bars, Hotel Tirol, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith June).
FIGURE 4 - Adult showing three wing bars upperwing, Estancia Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Paul Smith November)
Elaenia identification is notoriously difficult and the variability of this species makes it a prime candidate for confusion. In brief a small elaenia with three visible wing-bars can only be this species, the much larger Large Elaenia Elaenia spectabilis is the only other Paraguayan species that usually has three visible wing-bars. However some Small-billed individuals show only two wing-bars and are hence easily confused with White-crested Elaenia Elaenia albiceps another similarly-sized species showing limited pale yellow on the underparts. White-crested usually has a visible white crest which gives the nape a "ragged" appearance, whilst this species generally appears more smoothly, round-headed.
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