Images: Click to Enlarge

Right Side The Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher holds its tail out much like a wren. Photo taken by Pete Brown on May 10, 2004 in Gambrills, MD. Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ-10 at full zoom.

Tail Oh, are you trying to photograph me through that Rhododendron? I'm going to move over here and not let you get a better shot. Photo taken by Pete Brown on May 10, 2004 in Gambrills, MD. Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ-10 at full zoom.

Hunting Bugs With its head cocked slightly to the side, the gnatcatcher hunts bugs somewhat like a robin. Photo taken by Pete Brown on May 10, 2004 in Gambrills, MD. Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ-10 at full zoom.

Birding Information

In Early May 2004, Melissa and I had a new arrival on the property. This was a relatively tame bird, in that you could approach closely, but also a bird that insisted on staying inside the Rhododendrons alongside our driveway.

The Gnatcatcher returned to this same area for at least two days in a row. Presumably it was staying up in a nearby tree. Originally we thought this to b a migrant bird, but its return makes us think it is likely a resident of the upper canopy on or near our property.

The Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher is very small, not much larger than a Chickadee or a House Wren and is equally as cute. The call is much like that of a baby bird, a cross between a wheezy sound and a squeeze-toy :-)

General Information

• Length: 4 1/4 inches
• Wingspan 5 3/4 to 6 1/2 inches
• Family: Sylvidae

Identification (Male)

• Black line on sides of crown
• Bluish gray upperparts
• White eye ring
• Long black tail with white outer feathers
• White underparts

Identification (Female)

The female is similar to the male but is more gray than blue and, like the juvenile male, lacks the black line on the sides of the crown.

• White eye ring
• Plaue blue-gray upperparts
• Long black slightly graduated tail with white outer tail feathers
• White underparts

Identification and size information from Birds of North America Eastern Regionby Fred J. Alsop III, 2001 DK Publishing

Other References

USGS Page on the Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher

eNature Page on the Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher (includes sound)