this is the accurately named greenish elaenia, a tyrant flycatcher which inhabits much of Central and South America. its extensive range stretches all the way from central Mexico to northern Argentina! ten populations have developed enough variation from the type species to be classed as subspecies, all with varying degrees of divergence in size and coloration. birds in the far south of its range are migratory, breeding in southern Brazil, northern Argentina, and Uruguay; they spend the chillier months (which is summertime for the Northen Hemisphere) around eastern Peru and Paraguay.
its remarkably unremarkable plumage is itself a distinct, identifiable characteristic of the species, setting it apart in its abject plainness. however, it does bear one splash of color - a bright dandelion-yellow crest, usually tucked snugly beneath its greenish-grey head feathers. it's rather quiet most of the time, keeping its proper singing to dawn. its voice is a buzzy whistle, and it incorporates rapid changes in pitch into its calls, with its short song bearing a very brief but sharp pause reminiscent of a glottal stop. tends to forage alone, though occasionally takes a partner. primarily eats insects, but isn't very discriminatory at all when it comes to potential food sources, feeding also on fruit and seeds. it usually chooses to dwell in open-sky but still heavily vegetated environments, typically including open-canopied forests alongside more scrubby areas. it keeps its activity to the lower levels of the forest.
