Birding at the Fox River Sanctuary yesterday in Waukesha Wisconsin I came across a couple Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. These birds were present along with many Yellow-rumped Warlbers that were there coming through. They continued to move through the trees and brush searching and getting insects for food. Image taken April 22, 2014.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher April 22, 2014
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Binomial name: Polioptila caerulea
Category: Gnatcatchers and Gnatwrens
Size: 4.5” long, 6” wing span
Weight: 0.21 oz.
Habitat: Breeds habitat is from Southern Ontario to the southwestern US and Mexico in open deciduous woodlands and thickets along stream banks.
Diet: The Blue-gray Gnatcatchers main diet while forging in trees and shrubs are small insects and sometimes spiders. These birds can be seen hovering over plant and tree foliage, flushing insects. The bobbing tail also helps in the flushing of insects.
Nesting: The cup-shaped nest can be found at any height and is constructed of plant down, spider webbing, covered with lichen flakes. The nest usually holds 3-6 pale blue eggs. Both feed the young after hatching.
Cool Facts: This bird resembles a small Northern Mockingbird.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 13, 2013
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 13, 2013
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 13, 2013
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 15, 2012
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 31, 2011 Vernon Marsh
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 31, 2011 Vernon Marsh
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 31, 2011 Vernon Marsh
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher May 31, 2011 Vernon Marsh
I love your shots, Jim. This is such a fun little bird to observe. Isn’t it neat how their nests look like they’re made of dry oatmeal? : )
Jim – how in the world did you discover such a tiny nest tucked into a tree fork? This little bird is precious – like something placed on the indoor egg tree. The feathers so delicate – one can see how a breath of wind has found them. The image of this mite of a bird inside the nest creation is beyond belief. All I can remember about ever seeing a blue-gray gnatcatcher was a flitting movement of feathers. What a thrill to see how incredibly beautiful this little bird is – thank you!