Polioptila caerulea
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher constantly waves its long tail during its treetop foraging trips. When the wind blows, the gnatcatcher's long tail catches the wind and often appears to nearly topple the small bird. Nevertheless, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are energetic birds, and they constantly flit about in deciduous treetops. During courtship, a male gnatcatcher accompanies his prospective mate around his territory. Once the bond is established, the pair remains close during nest building and egg laying. Although these birds undoubtedly eat gnats, these insects do not represent a substantial portion of their diet. The scientific name caerulea is from the Latin word for 'blue.' |
I.D.: General: blue-gray upperparts; long tail; white eye ring; pale gray underparts; no wing bars; black uppertail with white outer tail feathers. Breeding male: darker upperparts; black border on the side of the forecrown. Size: L 41/2 in. (11 cm). Range: rare migrant and summer resident in the southern and central U.S. Rockies. Habitat: pinyon-juniper forests and riparian woodlands in the foothills and the montane. Nesting: typically across the eastern U.S. and in the southwest; on a limb or in a crotch in a deciduous tree; lichen-covered cup nest is made with plant fibers and grass and bound by spider silk; female incubates 3-4 eggs for up to 15 days. Feeding: gleans vegetation and flycatches for insects, spiders and other invertebrates. Voice: call is a banjo-like, high-pitched twang: chee. Male: song is a low warble, often beginning with zee-u zee-u. Similar Species: Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Golden-crowned Kinglet: olive-green overall; short tail; wing bars. Gray Catbird: much larger; red undertail coverts. |
