Image via Macaulay Library
Highland Elaenia
- Scientific name
- Elaenia obscura
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Forest mixed
- Wing shape
- Broad
- Tail shape
- Notched
Where it came from
The Highland Elaenia (Elaenia obscura) is a passerine bird belonging to the Tyrannidae family, native to the humid forests and shrublands of the Andes and southeastern South America. It evolved within the neotropical montane ecosystems, developing its characteristic broad wing shape and notched tail as adaptations for agile, short-burst flight patterns suited to dense forest canopies and clearings.
The species was formally described and classified during the 19th-century boom in ornithological taxonomy. Ornithologists focused on its subdued olive-brown plumage and distinct vocalizations, which serve as its primary identifier in the field. Its design—an evolutionary result of natural selection—prioritizes functional camouflage, allowing the bird to blend into the shadows of the Highland understory while foraging for small fruits and insects.
Generated by Pi, the collecto.rs collecting companion
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Highland Elaenia
Highland Elaenia is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Highland Elaenia on collecto.rs?
Highland Elaenia doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Highland Elaenia?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Highland Elaenia catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Highland Elaenia is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
