Overview

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher: Medium gnatcatcher with black cap, blue-gray upperparts, black tail, and pale gray underparts. The bill is short and black. Black tail is edged with white; underside of tail appears mostly black with large white spots near tip when closed. Black legs and feet.

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher: In California the range extends south, from extreme southern Inyo County through eastern San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial counties, to Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, throughout northern and central Mexico. Considered a permanent resident throughout their range. Habitat includes arid scrub-lands, open areas, deserts and arid country.

Voice Text

"cheeh", "ssheh"

• Canopy height appears to be important for foraging; they spend at least 75% of their time in brush less than 9 feet high.
• The Black-tailed Gnatcatcher is a nonmigratory bird that lives in pairs throughout the entire year. The male and female usually forage within a few yards of each other. This togetherness may give them a heightened need to communicate—they have a surprising variety of call notes.
• Unlike the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, which it closely resembles, it rarely catches insects in midair. It prefers to forage on thorn trees.

• Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
• California Gnatcatcher
• Black-capped Gnatcatcher

Gnatcatchers and Gnatwrens (Polioptilidae)

ORDER

The one hundred eighteen families in the taxonomic order PASSERIFORMES (pronounced pas-ser-i-FOR-meez) include a variety of small perching birds such as the kinglets as well as large birds such as the crows and jays.

FAMILY TAXONOMY

In the Polioptilidae (pronounced poh-lih-OP-til-uh-dee) family, there are fifteen species found in North and South America.

NORTH AMERICA

In North America, four species of the Polioptilidae family have occurred. The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is the most widespread with a summer range that covers much of the United States.

KNOWN FOR

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is known for its feisty, active mannerisms. The cocked and spread tail, scolding call notes, and thin black eyebrow of the male give this tiny bird an angry appearance.

PHYSICAL

Members of the Polioptilidae are small, active birds with fairly long legs, and strong feet that suit their arboreal nature. They have thin, medium length bills and rather short wings. They have long tails that are typically cocked.

COLORATION

Gnatcatchers are mostly gray and white with black markings on the face, crown, and tail. Most species also have white eye rings and white markings in the tail. Gnatwrens are browner overall, with longer bills and shorter tails.

GEOGRAPHIC HABITAT

In North America the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is found in eastern deciduous forests and arid habitats of the southwest. The three other species of gnatcatchers are found in the deserts of the southwestern states south to Mexico.

MIGRATION

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher migrates to the southern United States and Mexico during the winter.

HABITS

Gnatcatchers do not nest in colonies but often join flocks comprised of assorted species of small birds that forage together for protection from predators. They often forage for invertebrates by gleaning them from the vegetation of trees and bushes.

CONSERVATION

In the United States, the California Gnatcatcher is listed as threatened because of destruction of its shrubland habitat in southern California. Although most other members of this family are doing well, the Iquitos Gnatcatcher is critically endangered. Only described in 2005, this little known species is very rarely seen in its threatened, white sand forest habitats.

INTERESTING FACTS

Like the fantails of Asia and the Slate-throated Redstart, gnatcatchers often spread their tails to flash the white feathers while foraging. This may be a strategy to scare insect prey out into the open from their hiding places.

Author

Artist

Michael Oberhofer