Pl. XLIX
The Birds · Plate XLIX
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Polioptila caerulea
Polioptilidae · Taxon 7493
| Length | 10–11 cm (3.9–4.4 in) |
| Wingspan | 16 cm (6.3 in) |
| Weight | 5–8 g (0.2–0.3 oz) |
Field marks
- Tiny, slim songbird with a long-legged, delicate profile
- Pale blue-gray upperparts and grayish-white underparts
- Thin, straight, dark bill
- Fine, conspicuous white eye ring
- Long mostly black tail with white outer feathers or edges; often held cocked
- Breeding male may show a narrow black V above the eyes
HabitatBroadleaf and mixed woodlands, woodland edges, thickets, and scrub; often favors moist areas or vegetation near water.
BehaviorActive, quick-moving foliage forager; frequently flicks or cocks its tail while gleaning insects and spiders.
Palette
blue-grayslate graygrayish whiteblackwhite