California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica)
Illustration redrawn by AI from a real photograph

California Gnatcatcher

Polioptila californica Brewster, 1881

5.8 gWeight

The California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) is a small, 10.8-centimetre-long (4.3 in) insectivorous bird which frequents dense coastal sage scrub growth.

Busiest months: December–January and March · Most records: United States, Mexico

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

California Gnatcatcher has been recorded at 25 of the 8,171 birding hotspots we track, in 2 countries and regions.

Records by month Northern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

  1. Frank G. Bonelli RP/Puddingstone Reservoir and vicinityUnited States2,371 records
  2. San Elijo Lagoon – westUnited States1,937 records
  3. Bolsa Chica Ecological ReserveUnited States855 records
More places
  1. Bahía de San QuintínMexico825 records
  2. IRWD San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, IrvineUnited States440 records
  3. Irvine Regional ParkUnited States341 records
  4. Ballona Freshwater MarshUnited States236 records
  5. Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales de La PazMexico70 records
  6. Bolsa Chica – walkbridge/inner bayUnited States70 records
  7. Reserva Ecológica Estero de San José del CaboMexico59 records

Countries and regions with the most records

United StatesMexico

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

The California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) is a small, 10.8-centimetre-long (4.3 in) insectivorous bird which frequents dense coastal sage scrub growth. This species was recently split from the similar black-tailed gnatcatcher of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. This bird is often solitary, but joins with other birds in winter flocks.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia

Questions

How big is the California Gnatcatcher?

The California Gnatcatcher weighs around 5.8 g.

Where does the California Gnatcatcher live?

Its breeding range: North America, Middle America: southwestern USA and northwestern Mexico. It is most often recorded in United States and Mexico.

When is the best time to see the California Gnatcatcher?

At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in January, March and December (Northern Hemisphere).

Is the California Gnatcatcher endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the California Gnatcatcher as Least Concern.

What does the California Gnatcatcher eat?

Main food: Insects & other invertebrates.

What family is the California Gnatcatcher in?

It belongs to the family Gnatcatchers (Polioptilidae), order Passerines (Passeriformes).

At a glance

Weight
5.8 g
Habitat
Shrubland
Diet
Insects & other invertebrates
Lifestyle
Perches in trees
Migration
Resident (barely migrates)
Conservation
Least Concern
More measurements
Wing
47 mm
Tail
50 mm
Bill
11 mm
Tarsus
17 mm

Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.

Range

North America, Middle America: southwestern USA and northwestern Mexico

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Classification

Order
Passerines Passeriformes
Family
Gnatcatchers Polioptilidae
Genus
Polioptila

Other birds in the genus Polioptila

Rio Negro GnatcatcherRio Negro GnatcatcherPolioptila facilisGuianan GnatcatcherGuianan GnatcatcherPolioptila guianensisSlate-throated GnatcatcherSlate-throated GnatcatcherPolioptila schistaceigulaPara GnatcatcherPara GnatcatcherPolioptila paraensisIquitos GnatcatcherIquitos GnatcatcherPolioptila clementsiInambari GnatcatcherInambari GnatcatcherPolioptila attenboroughiTropical GnatcatcherTropical GnatcatcherPolioptila plumbeaMaranon GnatcatcherMaranon GnatcatcherPolioptila maiorCreamy-bellied GnatcatcherCreamy-bellied GnatcatcherPolioptila lacteaMasked GnatcatcherMasked GnatcatcherPolioptila dumicolaCuban GnatcatcherCuban GnatcatcherPolioptila lembeyeiYucatan GnatcatcherYucatan GnatcatcherPolioptila albiventris
California Gnatcatcher

Download illustration

Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by Travis Cooper. ↗

WebP · 1070 px

Heard it but can't see it? Mingji identifies birds by sound and photo, on your phone.

In other languages