Are these Blue-gray Gnatcatchers? - Playa Del Rey, CA - USA (1 Viewer)

PONYRCR

Well-known member

• Oct 15, 2007

• #1

When I took these pix today I thought they were all Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, now I'm not so sure.

The first photo I'm pretty sure is a BG Gnatcatcher, it's the last two that I'm not sure about. The bird looks too small, the tail too short, and the bill looks too thin and pointy.

Photos were taken at the Ballona Marsh in Playa Del Rey, CA.

 

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lassa8

Well-known member

• Oct 15, 2007

• #2

They all look fine for Blue-gray Gnatcatcher to me. Maybe it's just molting its tail? Or a cat tried to get it and mostly missed?

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Oct 15, 2007

• #3

The only other thing they could be would be a different gnatcatcher (At least that is what I think). Could be a juvenile given the short tail.

Niels

 

T

Terry O'Nolley

Cow-headed Jaybird

• Oct 15, 2007

• #4

Definitely a gnatcatcher. For the Blue-gray vrs. Black-tailed question, you are a bit out of the desert/chapparel range where Black-tailed Gnatcatchers are found.

As for the short tail..... who knows? As lassa8 suggested, maybe a cat that didn't quite get its dinner

 

SheriDi

Newbie

• Oct 15, 2007

• #5

Have you thought about the California Gnatcatcher? I saw similar birds in Orange County that I ID'd as the Blue-grey, but after looking at the descriptions in Sibley I changed my mind to the California mostly because of the amount of white on the underside of the tail and the brownish tint. They are very similar!

 

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emupilot

Well-known member

• Oct 15, 2007

• #6

Those look like Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, not California Gnatcatchers.