Gnatcatcher

Blue Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila caerulea)

• Micro Bates
• Polioptila
• Ramphocaenus

The Gnatcatcher ( Polioptilidae ) are a family in the order of perching birds ( Passeriformes ). In this family there are three genera and 15 species.

Gnatcatcher are spread from North America via Central America to South America and inhabit mostly forested areas, forests, swamps or even residential areas. Most species live in tropical and subtropical areas in South America and are resident birds. Species that have their breeding grounds in North America, hiking in winter to South America; thus they are migratory birds.

The little birds are related to the warblers. In the blue-gray to white colored plumage males and females do not differ. They have a sharp beak and feed primarily on insects, larvae and spiders, they are looking for in trees or shrubs. The cup-shaped nests, which are made of plant fibers and bark and lined with grass and feathers are applied in bushes or trees. The nest consists of three to six eggs.

Genera and species

• Micro Bates Grey abdominal Degenschnäbler (Micro Bates cinereiventris )
• Collared Degenschnäbler (Micro Bates collaris )

• Black-tailed Degenschnäbler ( Ramphocaenus melanurus )

• Blue Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila caerulea)
• Cayenne Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila guianensis )
• Grey -throated Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila schistaceigula )
• Iquitos Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila clementsi )
• Cuban Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila lembeyei )
• Mask Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila dumicola )
• Rahmbauch Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila lactea )
• California Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila californica )
• Black Caps Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila nigriceps )
• Black-tailed Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila melanura )
• Tropical Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila plumbea )
• White reins Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila albiloris )