The Yellow-bellied Elaenia is distributed from Mexico to south-east Brazil. See the distribution map at xeno-canto. It is found in a variety of habitats such as woodland, scrub and savannahs but is absent from heavily forested areas.

It does not seem particularly yellow bellied but it usually has its crest erect and often parted in the middle to show a white crown patch. It has two conspicuous whitish wing bars and yellow-white edgings to the wing feathers. Below, the throat is pale grey, the breast a dirty olive and the belly pale yellow.