elaenia

[ ih-lee-nee-uh ]

noun

1. any of numerous tropical American flycatchers of the genus Elaenia, having short crests and small bills.

Word History and Origins

Origin of elaenia¹

< New Latin (1835), originally Elaïnia < Greek elaïnéa, feminine of elaḯneos pertaining to the olive, derivative of elaía olive; so named from the birds' color