Biology:Blue-gray gnatcatcher

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Short description: Species of bird

Blue-gray gnatcatcher
Blue-gray gnatcatcher in PP (72317).jpg
File:Polioptila caerulea - Blue-grey Gnatcatcher XC178132.mp3
Call recorded in Minnesota
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Polioptilidae
Genus: Polioptila
Species:
P. caerulea
Binomial name
Polioptila caerulea
(Linnaeus, 1766)
Polioptila caerulea map.svg
Geographical distribution of
blue-gray gnatcatcher
  Breeding
  Year-round
  Nonbreeding
  Nonbreeding (scarce)
Synonyms

Motacilla caerulea Linnaeus, 1766

The blue-gray gnatcatcher(Polioptila caerulea) is a very small songbird native to North America.

Description

It is 10–13 cm (3.9–5.1 in) in length, 6.3 in (16 cm) in wingspan,[2] and weighing only 5–7 g (0.18–0.25 oz).[3][4] Adult males are blue-gray on the upperparts with white underparts, slender dark bill, and a long black tail edged in white. Females are less blue, while juveniles are greenish-gray. Both sexes have a white eye ring.

Distribution and habitat

The blue-gray gnatcatcher's breeding habitat includes open deciduous woods and shrublands in southern Ontario, the eastern and southwestern United States, and Mexico. Though gnatcatcher species are common and increasing in number while expanding to the northeast,[5][full citation needed] it is the only one to breed in Eastern North America. They migrate to the southern United States, Mexico, northern Central America (Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras), Cuba, the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Cayman Islands.

Diet and behaviour

These birds prefer humid areas with large leaves, woodlands, and more open sandy areas with sparse trees where they mainly eat insects, insect eggs, and spiders. The males often work to build nests, help incubate and raise the young, as well as feed the children, often thought to be a mother's role. Their nests are often built far out on a tree's branch with spider silks and lichen plants holding them together.[6] They may hover over foliage while snatching prey (gleaning), or fly to catch insects in flight (hawking). The tail is often held upright while defending territory or searching for food.[7]

Sounds

The songs (and calls) are often heard on breeding grounds, (usually away from nest) and occasionally heard other times of the year. Calls: "zkreee, zkreee, zkreee", Songs: "szpree zpree spreeeeey spree spre sprzrreeeee"

Breeding

Both parents build a cone-like nest on a horizontal tree branch, and share feeding the young. The incubation period is 10-15 days for both sexes, and two broods may be raised in a season.[8]

Blue-gray gnatcatcher nest made of lichens, hair, and spiderwebs
A juvenile blue-gray gnatcatcher in San Bruno
A juvenile blue-gray gnatcatcher in San Bruno

References

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q883006 entry