Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Bright, catlike notes spill out in a quick series at dawn. These are calls, not the species’ longer rambling song.

Migratory in northern parts of range; resident in southern United States and Mexico. Northern populations winter in Mexico and Central America.

Found in a variety of wooded habitats including open deciduous woodlands, mixed forests, pine-oak woodlands, riparian corridors, and scrubby areas. In the eastern United States, often associated with oak forests. In the West, found in pinyon-juniper woodlands, mesquite, and desert riparian areas.

Breeds from March to August depending on latitude. Northern populations arrive on breeding grounds in April and depart by September. Year-round residents in southern range may begin nesting as early as February.

A diminutive, slender songbird with a long tail that it frequently flicks from side to side. Blue-gray above and grayish-white below with a distinctive white eyering. Males have a black forehead and eyebrow during breeding season. Constantly active, moving through foliage with quick, nervous movements while searching for tiny insects.