Black-capped Gnatcatcher
Polioptila nigriceps
Long-tailed little bird of dry forest and scrub in northwest Mexico. Found as singles, pairs, or family groups, usually foraging at low to middle levels. Breeding plumage male (March–August) has black cap, but other plumages very similar to Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, a common migrant throughout the range of Black-capped. These species best separated by call note: Black-capped has lower and rougher call than mew of Blue-gray. Also note Blue-gray often has a pinkish base to its smaller bill (gray on Black-capped), a more distinct white eyering (face a little more "open" on Black-capped), and a shorter, less strongly graduated tail.
Identification
The black-capped gnatcatcher is 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in) long and weighs 5 to 8 g (0.18 to 0.28 oz). Adults are blue-gray on the upperparts with white underparts. They have a long slender bill and a long black tail with mostly white outer feathers. Males in alternate (breeding) plumage have a glossy black cap. The female's gray upperparts have less of a bluish tint but are otherwise similar to the non-breeding male. This species is very similar to the black-tailed gnatcatcher (P. melanura).
Taxonomy
The black-capped gnatcatcher has at times been treated as conspecific with the white-lored gnatcatcher (Polioptila albiloris). Two subspecies are recognized, the nominate Polioptila nigriceps nigriceps and P. n. restricta.
- Scientific name
- Polioptila nigriceps
- Authority
- Baird, SF, 1864
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Polioptilidae
- Genus
- Polioptila
Range and habitat
The nominate black-capped gnatcatcher is found in western Mexico from central Sinaloa south to Colima. P. n. restricta is found mostly in western Mexico from eastern Sonora south to northern Sinaloa. It has occasionally nested just across the U.S. border in the Madrean sky islands area of southernmost Arizona. In the northern part of its range it inhabits mesquite thickets near riparian corridors. To the south it inhabits thorn scrub and arid deciduous woodlands. In elevation it occurs mostly below 500 m (1,600 ft). The species is primarily non-migratory, though the northernmost birds might move south after breeding.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The black-capped gnatcatcher's diet has not been documented. It is assumed to be arthropods like the diets of other gnatcatchers. They forage actively in trees or shrubs, gleaning foliage and sometimes sallying to catch insects.<p>The black-capped gnatcatcher's breeding season spans from March to June, with the last fledging in July. The nest is a small cup constructed of twigs cemented with spider silk, lined with softer material, and placed on small branches of a low tree or shrub. The clutch size is four. Parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) has been observered in Jalisco.<p>The black-capped gnatcatcher's song is complex and rambling [1]. It also has a "mewing" call that is sometimes repeated [2].
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Southern Scrub-Flycatcher
Sublegatus modestus
Small, dull flycatcher. Medium brown with a light yellow belly, and two whitish wingbars. Breeds in dry scrub and open woodlands across much of southern South America; also a common austral migrant into Amazonia, where it is found in secondary and successional growth. Compared to the similar Amazonian Scrub-Flycatcher, Southern has a brighter yellow belly, and crisper, brighter white wingbars.
Saffron-crowned Tanager
Tangara xanthocephala
Small tanager found in Andean subtropical zone from Venezuela to Bolivia. Mostly bluish-green with darker wings and streaked back. Head is mostly bright yellow or orange with small black mask, throat, and nape. Buffy undertail coverts and vent only visible at some angles. Sexes alike. A fairly common member of mixed flocks from around 1,200–2,400 m, in cloud forest and edges.
Ruddy Pigeon
Patagioenas subvinacea
Fairly small pigeon, pinkish-rufous overall, darker on wings. Sexes alike. Heard more often than seen, but sometimes perches conspicuously atop the canopy. Found in forested areas, generally at lower elevations. Where range overlaps with the very similar Short-billed Pigeon, Ruddy tends to be found at higher elevations. Also note slightly different voice: a clipped hooting song, “hit the foul pole!”
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