 |
This tiny bird has thin white edges
along its narrow black tail. In summer, the male has a black forehead
and can be mistaken for the similar Black-Capped Gnatcatcher which is more
commonly seen in nearby Arizona.
In winter, it can be confused with the similar migrating Blue Gray Gnatcatcher because of the duller winter plumage. It prefers the rural desert areas of the Imperial
Valley. I have also seen them feeding on insects on trees and shrubs found
along the New River. This photo shows it on a green Palo Verde branch -
a local desert wash tree.
|
If you are interested in learning more about this bird online - I recommend you start with the Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.htmlThey present photographs, songs, identification tips, maps, and life history information for North American birds - including the Black-Tailed Gnatcatcher and the Blue Gray Gnatcatcher
OTHER OUTSIDE LINKS FOR THIS BIRD:
California Gnatcatcher - The endangered California Gnatcatcher is very similar to the Black-Tailed Gnatcatcher. This Web profile is presented by the San Diego Chapter of the Sierra Club.
Fortuna Pond - This is a nice birding spot in nearby Yuma, Arizona, where the Black-Tailed Gnatcatcher can be found year-round. Directions are provided on this Web page from the "Southwest Birders.com" Web site.
The following "WAV" format sound file is copyrighted by Doug Von Gausig of Sedona, Arizona, as part of "The Sounds of Nature" Web site at www.naturesongs.com:
- http://www.naturesongs.com/btgn1.wav - Black-Tailed Gnatcatcher
This site is maintained by:
Eldon R. Caldwell
Imperial Valley College
Email: eldonc@imperial.cc.ca.us