From Opus

Male. Photo by: Gary Clark
Location: Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA

Polioptila melanura

[edit] Identification

Small (11.5cm, 2.5in) typical gnatcatcher with black cap, Otherwise gray overall with dark, rounded tail (white bands underneath). The male is differentiated from similar species most easily by distribution; the female by tail markings.

[edit] Distribution

Year-round inhabitant of Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts of Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, notably along the Rio Grande River. Southward into Mexico except the Sierra Madre.

[edit] Taxonomy

Polytypic. Consists of five subspecies.

[edit] Habitat

Female. Photo by Rob
Location: Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA

Desert.

[edit] Behaviour

Energetic gleaner of insects from branches of brush and trees.

[edit] External Links