Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)
Chickadees, Wrens, etc.
Uncommon
Year-Round
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, breeding male
Kerr WMA, TX © Tom Benson
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, breeding male
Mountain Pass, CA © Tom Benson
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is an uncommon, year-round visitor to campus. It is best looked for in the CSUSB Preserve, where it has bred. It is an uncommon migrant and wintering bird in southern California, and an uncommon breeding bird in the local mountains.
High Count: 5, Average Count: 1-3
The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher can be identified by its blue-gray upperparts, whitish underparts, white eye ring, and black tail with white outer tail feathers. Adult males in the breeding season have a narrow black line above the eye.