California Gnatcatcher Photo Gallery
Breeding male
A tiny bird with a long, slender tail. Male California Gnatcatchers are gray with a black cap and a black tail narrowly edged in white.
© Chezy Yusuf / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 14, 2017Female
Females are gray overall with a thin white eyering and a black tail narrowly edged in white.
© Robert Hamilton / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 11, 2017Breeding male
A small, slender songbird with a long black tail narrowly edged in white. Males have a black cap. Individuals in the northern part of the range are darker gray than those farther south.
© Joachim Bertrands | Ornis Birding Expeditions / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, April 02, 2018Female
Females are grayish overall with a brownish wash on the sides, wings, and undertail.
© Sharif Uddin / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 19, 2020Female
Found in coastal sage scrub, desert scrub, and coastal dune scrub.
© Anonymous / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 26, 2018Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Gnatcatchers(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Polioptilidae)
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