- Polioptila californica
Identification
Male
- Grey plumage
- Darker upperparts
- Black cap (in breeding plumage)
- Black eye line
- Long black
- White tipped and edged tail
Female: brownish back, flanks and belly
Distribution
Endemic to south-western California to southern Baja, Santa Margarita Island and Espírito Santo Island.
Taxonomy
Three subspecies recognized:
- P. c. californica in southwestern California to south to northwestern Baja California
- P. c. pontilis in Central Baja California from latitude 30°N to 27°N
- P. c. margaritae in southern Baja California; Santa Margarita I. and Espírito Santo I.
Formerly regarded as monotypic until pontilis and margaritae were moved from Black-tailed Gnatcatcher to this species.
Habitat
Coastal sage scrub and scrubby hillsides.
Behaviour
Breeding
Nests in an open-cupped nest near the ground. 2-5 eggs are laid.
Diet
The diet includes leafhoppers, spiders, beetles, and bugs.
Vocalisation
Kittenlike mewing.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Audubon
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) California Gnatcatcher. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 11 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/California_Gnatcatcher
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
