General

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher: Medium-sized gnatcatcher with black cap, blue-gray upperparts, black tail, and pale gray underparts. Bill is short, slender, and black. Black tail is edged with white; underside of tail appears mostly black with large white spots near tip when closed. Female is paler and lacks black cap. Winter male resembles female but has a dark eyebrow.

Range and Habitat

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher: Fairly common resident of arid scrub and washes of the American southwest and central and northern Mexico.

Breeding and Nesting

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher: Both parents build cup nest in fork of mesquite, creosote or other desert scrub, usually one to four feet above ground. Nest is compact, made of plant down bound with insect and spider silk. Female lays three to five pale blue or green eggs marked with brown. Incubation by both the male and female usually 14 days in duration. Altricial young tended by both parents fledge between 9 and 15 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher: Gleans insects from foliage and branches. Occasionally will hover. Diet sometimes includes spiders and seeds.

Vocalization

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher: Song a rapid series of "jee" notes. Call a wrenlike "cheeh" or "ssheh."

Similar Species

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is distinctly blue toned, with obvious white eye ring and pale bill. Breeding male lacks black cap. Black-capped Gnatcatcher has much less black on underside of tail, almost completely white with black extending lengthwise down middle, longer bill, and less distinct eye ring. California Gnatcatcher is darker and more dusky overall with more brown tones throughout, tail almost completely black on underside with very little white edging. All species have different vocalizations.