- Polioptila melanura
Identification
Small (11.5cm, 2.5in)
A 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.
Distribution
North and Central America.
A 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.
Taxonomy
Subspecies[1]
This is a polytypic species, consisting of five subspecies:
- P. m. lucida:
- Arid south-western US to north-eastern Baja California and north-western Mexico (Durango)
- P. m. melanura:
- P. m. curtata:
- Isla Tiburón (Sea of Cortés)
The former subspecies pontilis and margaritae are now included in California Gnatcatcher.
Habitat
Desert scrub, brush, mesquite.
Behaviour
Very active
Diet
Gleans insects from branches of brush and trees.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- BF Member observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 4 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Black-tailed_Gnatcatcher
External Links
Search the Gallery using the scientific name:
Search the Gallery Using the common name:
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
