Klages's Gnatcatcher
Polioptila paraensis
Small, rather long-tailed bird found high in the rainforest canopy; it only occurs south of the Amazon River. Plumage is mostly plain gray, but is slightly darker on the back and paler on the belly. It has a thin, broken eyering and white outer tail feathers. Similar to female Tropical Gnatcatcher, but area below the eye is gray, not white. Quite scarce and very easy to overlook due to its small size and the difficulty of seeing into the canopy from the forest floor. Typical song is a quick series of six to ten high pitched “sip” notes; these bursts are usually repeated multiple times with a short pause in between. Formerly included with several other similar species under the name of Guianan Gnatcatcher.
Identification
The Para gnatcatcher is 10 to 11 cm (3.9 to 4.3 in) long and weighs approximately 6 g (0.21 oz). The male's head, back, and breast are mouse gray and the rest of its underparts white. There is minimal contrast between the throat, breast, and belly. The innermost feathers of its tail are black and the outermost white, with those between intergrading. The female is similar but has a paler face.
Taxonomy
The Para gnatcatcher is monotypic It was formerly treated as a subspecies of the Guianan gnatcatcher (Polioptila guianensis) but since mid-2019 has been considered a separate species based on differences in morphology and vocalization.
- Scientific name
- Polioptila paraensis
- Authority
- Todd, 1937
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Polioptilidae
- Genus
- Polioptila
Range and habitat
The Para gnatcatcher is found only in Brazil, in a broad band south of the Amazon River from its mouth southwest almost to northern Bolivia. It inhabits the borders and canopy of humid primary forest, mostly below 500 m (1,600 ft) elevation.
Behavior
The Para gnatcatcher's diet is little known but is assumed to be arthropods like that of other Polioptila gnatcatchers. It actively forages in the canopy and sub-canopy.<p>The Para gnatcatcher's breeding phenology has not been documented.<p>The Para gnatcatcher's song is "repeated high...notes, evenly delivered" [1].
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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