Lesser Greenlet

Identification

The lesser greenlet is a tiny passerine, measuring just 9.4–10.2 cm and weighing 6.6–10.3 g, making it easily overlooked in the canopy. The nominate subspecies displays a distinctive gray-blue crown, whitish eye-ring, and olive-green upperparts with a lighter rump. The underparts are pale, with a whitish chin, pale gray throat, and very pale lemon-yellow breast contrasting with greenish-yellow flanks. Dark grayish wings with bright green outer webs, and a grayish-green tail complete the pattern. All subspecies share a dark brown iris, dark gray upper mandible, and pale gray to horn-colored lower mandible. Six subspecies occur across the range, varying subtly in crown color, back tone, and flank intensity—for example, P. d. minor (the "gray-headed" form) shows brighter upperparts and darker greenish-yellow flanks than the nominate.