Tropical Gnatcatcher
NameTropical Gnatcatcher
Common NameTropical Gnatcatcher
Scientific NamePolioptila plumbea
FamilyPolioptilidae
Wingspan (cm)11
Length (cm)11
Weight (g)6.5
Plumage DetailsMales feature a prominent black cap extending from the forehead to the nape, sharply contrasting with a white supercilium and lores. Their upperparts are bluish-gray, while the underparts are whitish, and the long dark tail has white outer feathers. Females have a less distinct or absent black cap, often replaced by gray.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a variety of thin, high-pitched, often buzzy or wheezy notes and trills. Common calls are described as "tsee-tsee-tsee" or "swee-swee-swee" sounds.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest, urban
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread from Mexico south through Central America and into northern South America, including Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil.
Identifying FeaturesSmall size, Slender body and long tail, Males with prominent black cap and white supercilium, Bluish-gray upperparts and whitish underparts, Active foraging behavior
Description
This small, active songbird is characterized by its slender body and relatively long tail. It typically forages for small insects and spiders in the canopy and mid-story of tropical and subtropical forests, often flicking its tail.
