[2] It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

Adults have a mostly olive-brown head with a minimal or no white stripe in the middle of the crest.

[6][7][8][9][10][11][excessive citations] The large elaenia is found in the Amazon Basin from southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, and northern Bolivia across Brazil and from Amazonia south through Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil and southeastern Bolivia into northwestern Argentina and through most of Paraguay and far northwestern Uruguay into northeastern Argentina as far as southern Buenos Aires Province.

In winter (see the Movement section) it occurs more often in riparian zones (including river islands) and areas with fruiting trees.

[6][7][8][9][10][11][excessive citations] The large elaenia is a year-round resident in the southern part of its Brazilian range and in southeastern Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.

It captures prey and plucks fruit by gleaning while perched and while briefly hovering.

Its nest is a small cup made from sticks with lichens and moss on the outside and lined with plant fibers and feathers.