The Pacific elaenia (Myiopagis subplacens) is a species of bird in subfamily Elaeniinae of family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.[2]
| Pacific elaenia | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Tyrannidae |
| Genus: | Myiopagis |
| Species: | M. subplacens
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| Binomial name | |
| Myiopagis subplacens (Sclater, PL, 1862)
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Taxonomy and systematics
editThe Pacific elaenia was originally described as Elaenia subplacens. It was moved to genus Myiopagis in the mid twentieth century and later confirmed by genetic analysis to belong there.[3][4][5] The Pacific elaenia is monotypic.[2]
Description
editThe Pacific elaenia is about 14 cm (5.5 in) long; one male weighed 14.9 g (0.53 oz) and four females averaged 16.9 g (0.60 oz). The sexes have the same plumage. Adults have a gray-brown crown with a partially concealed bright yellow stripe along its middle. They have whitish lores, a partial white eyering, a grizzled whitish lower face with blackish ends on the ear coverts, and a wide whitish supercilium that continues down behind the black of the ear coverts. Their upperparts are brownish olive. Their wings are dusky with pale yellow edges on the inner flight feathers and yellowish tips on the coverts; the last form two faint bars on the closed wing. Their tail is grayish olive. Their throat and breast are pale grayish with whiter streaks on the breast; their belly is pale yellow. Both sexes have a brown or dark brown iris, a black bill with a pinkish or dirty white base to the mandible, and black or dark gray legs and feet.[6][7][8]
Distribution and habitat
editThe Pacific elaenia is found in the Pacific lowlands and foothills from western Esmeraldas Province in northern Ecuador south into Peru as far as Lambayeque and southwestern Cajamarca departments. It inhabits somewhat dry to semi-humid deciduous forest, secondary forest near older forest, and tall scrub. In elevation it reaches 1,700 m (5,600 ft) in Ecuador and 1,800 m (5,900 ft) in Peru.[6][7][8]
Behavior
editMovement
editThe Pacific elaenia is believed to be a year-round resident throughout its range.[6]
Feeding
editThe Pacific elaenia's diet has not been studied, but it is known to include insects and small fruits. It typically forages singly or in pairs in the forest canopy and seldom joins mixed-species feeding flocks.[6][7][8]
Breeding
editNothing is known about the Pacific elaenia's breeding biology.[6]
Vocalization
editThe Pacific elaenia's dawn song is "an endlessly repeated 'chrrr, chrrr, che-wik, chrrr, chrrr, che-wik...' ".[7] During the day it sings "a sharp, burry PJIT! djurrrree, the second note rising" and its calls include "a gruff pjrt and similar notes".[8]
Status
editThe IUCN has assessed the Pacific elaenia as being of Least Concern. It has a large range; its population size is not known and is believed to be decreasing. No immediate threats have been identified.[1] It is considered uncommon to fairly common in Ecuador and fairly common in Peru.[7][8]
References
edit- ^ a b BirdLife International (2016). "Pacific Elaenia Myiopagis subplacens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22699239A93720486. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22699239A93720486.en. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ a b Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (August 2024). "Tyrant flycatchers". IOC World Bird List. v 14.2. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ Sclater, P.L. 1861. Index generis Elaineae ex familia Tyrannidarum additis novarum specierum diagnosibus. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London [1861] 406-408
- ^ Zimmer, J.T. (1941) Studies of Peruvian birds, No. 36. The genera Elaenia and Myiopagis. American Museum Novitates 1108: 1-23.
- ^ Rheindt, F.E., L. Christidis, G.S. Cabanne, C. Miyaki, and J.A. Norman. 2009. The timing of Neotropical speciation dynamics: a reconstruction of Myiopagis flycatcher diversification using phylogenetic and paleogeographic data. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 53: 961-971.
- ^ a b c d e Schulenberg, T. S. and T. Johnson (2020). Pacific Elaenia (Myiopagis subplacens), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.pacela1.01 retrieved September 25, 2024
- ^ a b c d e Ridgely, Robert S.; Greenfield, Paul J. (2001). The Birds of Ecuador: Field Guide. Vol. II. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. p. 463. ISBN 978-0-8014-8721-7.
- ^ a b c d e Schulenberg, T.S.; Stotz, D.F.; Lane, D.F.; O'Neill, J.P.; Parker, T.A. III (2010). Birds of Peru. Princeton Field Guides (revised and updated ed.). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. p. 408. ISBN 978-0691130231.