Blue-gray Gnatcatchers

Blue-gray gnatcatchers are tiny birds with a big bag of characteristics that resemble those of other bird species. They are constantly on the move like warblers, and catch flying insects in mid-air like flycatchers. They have long tails they hold erect like wrens do and twitch sideways like northern mockingbirds and gray catbirds. And the feather on each edge of their tails is white like those of dark-eyed juncos.

But in their own right, gnatcatchers are handsome birds in a plain way. They are blue-gray on top, white below with a white ring around each eye. But they are hard to spot because of their small size, camouflaged plumages and dwelling among the foliage of deciduous trees.

I'm cute!

Each pair of gnatcatchers raise up to eight young in two broods per summer in bottomland woods and thickets in the eastern United States. They winter in Mexico, Central and South America. They arrive at their breeding territories around the middle of April, depending on the weather.

Gnatcatcher nests are dainty, beautiful constructions made of plant fibers and tiny shreds of bark. The insides of their nurseries are lined with soft seed fluff and the outsides are decorated with pale-green lichens and tiny bits of bark. The nest is held together and tied to a fork of tree twigs with spider silk and/or caterpillar webbing. Those cradles are hard to notice because they are small, high in trees and camouflaged. But some get blown out of their perches by storms and strong wind. Then their unique beauty can be admired on the ground.

Gnatcatchers are lovely little birds and their nests are unique and beautifully constructed. Each is a joy to experience.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher by Andy Reago and Chrissy McClarren ~ flickr