ELAENIAS & TYRANNULETS

Caribbean Elaenia

Caribbean Elaenia

Caribbean Elaenia - Rather drab and inconspicuous flycatcher of tropical woodland, semi-open areas with bushes and trees. Often found at fruiting trees, where eats small berries. Limited overlap in range with slightly larger and brighter Yellow-bellied Elaenia, which has a spiky, white-based crest, unlike Caribbean, which usually holds its crest flattened; also note that Caribbean has a bright orange base to the underside of its bill, duller wingbars, and different voice; does not flick its wings or tail.
BELIZE HABITAT - Littoral forest.
Where can I find this bird in Belize?
Fairly common resident on Caye Caulker; also recorded in winter on Ambergris Caye and at least once each on Lighthouse Reef, Glovers Reef and mainland near Belize City.

Greenish Elaenia

Greenish Elaenia

Greenish Elaenia - Unobtrusive and inconspicuous small flycatcher of tropical and subtropical forest; also ranges up into the highlands of West Mexico. Usually found singly, perched quietly (unless singing at dawn) and rather upright at mid-upper levels in trees; does not flick its wings and tail, unlike many small flycatchers. Can be identified by a combination of the lack of pale wingbars, a narrow whitish eyebrow, and the small, overall dark bill.
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels to sub-canopy within broadleaf and pine forests, forest edge and tall second growth; also parks and urban areas with large shade trees.
Where can I find this bird in Belize?
Fairly common to common residnet on mainland recorded once on south Ambergris Caye.

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Yellow Bellied Elaenia

Yellow Bellied Elaenia

Yellow Bellied Elaenia - Rather bulky small flycatcher, widespread in tropical lowlands. Fairly common in overgrown brushy clearings, savannas, and other semi-open areas with scattered bushes. Looks like many other small flycatchers, and where multiple species of elaenias occur it is often not possible to identify birds to species. On Yellow-bellied, note its spiky, white-based crest (rarely held flattened), burry drawled call, whitish wingbars, and pale yellow belly; does not flick its wings or tail.
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels to sub-canopy at forest edge, most pine woodlands, and most open areas with scattered trees, including towns and villages.
Where can I find this bird in Belize?
Common resident on mainland and Ambergris Caye; regular seasonal visitor to other cayes.

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Northern Beardless Tyrannulet

Northern Beardless Tyrannulet

NOrthern Beardless Tyrannulet - Tiny flycatcher found in Mexico and Central America. In the U.S. restricted to riparian woodland with dense understory and mesquite in the Southwest. Plain gray overall with inconspicuous pale wingbars and pale yellowish belly. Peaked bushy crown. Similar to Empidonax flycatchers but note bushy crest, blunter bill, and less obvious wingbars. Generally quite active. Often detected by song: a series of descending plaintive whistles "dee dee dee dee."
BELIZE HABITAT - Open pine forest and savanna, broadleaf forest edge, second growth scrub.
Where can I find this bird in Belize?
Fairly common to common resident on mainland south to north east Cayo and north east Toledo; uncommon and local to north west Cayo and south Toledo.

Yellow Bellied Tyrannulet

Yellow Bellied Tyrannulet

Yellow Bellied Tyrannulet - A tiny, stub-tailed flycatcher of humid tropical forest. Spends most of its time in the canopy, where overlooked easily, but at times descends lower, mainly at forest edges. Hops and clambers among small branches and in vine tangles, picking under leaves for insects. Note the tiny size, yellowish underparts, bold white eyebrow, and small stubby bill. Calls and song are plaintive, piping whistles, given singly or in descending series.
BELIZE HABITAT - Canopy and sub-canopy within broadleaf forest and forest edge.
Where can I find this bird in Belize?
Uncommon to common resident north to central Orange Walk and north Belize, possible to south Corozal.

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Paltry Tyrannulet

Paltry Tyrannulet

Paltry Tynrannulet
BELIZE HABITAT - Mid-levels to sub-canopy within broadleaf forest and forest edge; also plantations and edges of villages.
Where can I find this bird in Belize?
Uncommon resident in south Toledo up to 2,500 feet in Maya Mountains.