ExploreBirds

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Polioptila caerulea

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a small, lively bird with a beautiful blue-gray color. They love to flit around trees and bushes, searching for tiny insects to eat.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is a tiny, delicate bird with a slender build and a long tail. It has slate-blue-gray upperparts, white underparts, and a distinctive white eye-ring. Males in breeding season develop a thin black line above the eye.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyPolioptilidaeGenusPolioptila
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
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Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby gnatcatchers grow so fast they leave their cozy nest in just two weeks!

During winter, hundreds of gnatcatchers might flock together for safety.

Sometimes, a tiny gnatcatcher will bravely chase much larger birds away!

Their amazing nests are often glued together with sticky spider silk!

Special abilities

Ability

Bug Vacuum

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers can snatch tiny insects right out of the air with incredible speed, thanks to their agile flight.

Ability

Camouflage Architect

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers build cup-shaped nests adorned with lichen, helping them blend perfectly into tree branches.

Ability

Tail Twister

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers constantly flick their long tail, which may help them flush out hidden insects from leaves.

Measurements & details

Length
10-13 cm
Wingspan
15-17 cm
Weight
0.005-0.007 kg
Lifespan
2-4 years
Top Speed
35 km/h
Clutch Size
3-6
Incubation
13-15 days
Migration Distance
2000 km

Diet & Feeding

These tiny birds mostly feast on small insects and spiders, expertly plucking them from leaves or catching them mid-flight.

Primary Foods

  • Gnats
  • Caterpillars
  • Spiders
  • Beetles
  • Flies
  • Leafhoppers

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't disturb their nests.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Blue-gray Gnatcatcher?

10-13 cm

What is Blue-gray Gnatcatcher's wingspan?

15-17 cm

How much does Blue-gray Gnatcatcher weigh?

0.005-0.007 kg

How long does Blue-gray Gnatcatcher live?

2-4 years

How fast can Blue-gray Gnatcatcher move?

35 km/h

What does Blue-gray Gnatcatcher eat?

These tiny birds mostly feast on small insects and spiders, expertly plucking them from leaves or catching them mid-flight.

Where is Blue-gray Gnatcatcher usually found?

Forests

How does Blue-gray Gnatcatcher hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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