Breeding male © Chezy Yusuf eBird S36860963 Macaulay Library ML 58118531
Female © Robert Hamilton
Nonbreeding male © Graham Montgomery
Breeding male © Joachim Bertrands | Ornis Birding Expeditions
Breeding male © Bryan Calk
+ 4
Female © Sharif Uddin
Nonbreeding male © Drew Beamer
Female © Anonymous

California Gnatcatcher Polioptila californica

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Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

Small, long-tailed songbird; similar to other gnatcatchers but darker gray overall. Male has black cap; female shows brownish tones to plumage. Underside of tail helpful in identification: almost entirely black with narrow white edges; much less white than both Black-tailed and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Very restricted range; found in shrubby sagebrush chaparral, usually in pairs. Listen for harsh scolding calls.

POWERED BY MERLIN