bluegray gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 4 inches

• Very small, active bird

• Thin bill

• White eye ring

• Blue-gray upperparts

• White underparts

• Long, black tail with white outer tail feathers-mostly white when view-          ed from below

• Male has black supercilium in breeding season

Similar species:

The blue-gray gnatcatcher is so small but long-tailed that it is only likely
to be confused with other gnatcatchers. Male black-tailed, California, and
black-capped gnatcatchers have variable amounts of black (depending
on season and age) in the crown while blue-gray gnatcatchers lack any
black in the crown. Female gnatcatchers, other than the blue-gray, have
their upperparts tinged with brown. Black-tailed and California gnat-

catchers have blacker tails when viewed from below and typically have

grayer underparts.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Neotropical migrant
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 4-5
Length of Incubation: 13 days
Days to Fledge: 10-12
Number of Broods: 1, 2 in far south
Diet: Exclusively insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May U
      Su - Summer: June, July, August C
      Fall: September, October, November R

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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