Elaenia Identification

A video on how to separate "Chilean" White-crested and Small-billed elaenias, and how this is relevant to the Oct 26, 2021 bird banded in Tadoussac, Quebec.
For Bird ID workshops visit - www.alvarosadventures.com/eve...
For more information on the Observatoire d'Oiseaux de Tadoussac, visit www.explosnature.ca/oot/

[@colegaerber3894]

Solid analysis. Great podcast!

[@FollowThomas]

This is helpful identification video. We don't have them here in Florida but still good to learn something new. Thanks.

[@MasbenetBird]

Burung yang cantik

[@tristanjobin2348]

Thanks for putting this together so quickly. Can't wait to go birding with you!

[@pbandjosh]

Excellent video Alvaro! I usually don't carry a camera and can't really see the primary formula, but beyond the third wing bar, I find that the "string of droplets" vs solid look to the wing bars, the head profile, and the cheek/throat color delineation that Dan mentions are a pretty solid combo. While I'm certain that I've mis-ID'd more than my share of Elaenias, I can't recall having seen one of this pair well, seen multiple of these features, then being surprised by the vocalization. I find Small-billed vs. Olivaceous much more challenging and usually don't have much/any confidence on non-vocal birds.

[@daniellane8517]

Great video Al. I would add that Small-billed also seem to have stronger contrast between the pale gray throat and the green-brown auriculars, which in combination with the more rounded head gives them a more "Empid-like" facial expression, which I see in the Tadoussac bird. Glad to hear that there is some potential material taken from the bird to see if it keys out genetically to one or the other... looking forward to hear if that agrees with this ID!

[@birdingyourbestlife6877]

Thanks Dan! I was contemplating that Small-billed also tends to have a more extensive yellow wash to the base of the bill, extending to gape. Giving them a "juvie" look. Check out if this is something that is somewhat reliable, or at least a tendency?

[@pbandjosh]

Good point Dan. This is one of the things that I find easier to use in the field when the birds overlap and both are expected. I don't know if it's really reliable but once I started noticing it, it is as evident as the crest to my eye, and for birds seen from below, it's often the first clue I get.

[@gamking7987]

Great video, thanks for the wonderful info, I think I saw a couple birds that looks just like this one here in NC today, im wondering if ther lost.