About the Tropical Gnatcatcher
The tropical gnatcatcher is a small active insectivorous songbird, which is a resident species throughout a large part of northern South America. It was formerly considered as conspecific with the white-browed gnatcatcher and the Marañón gnatcatcher.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The adult tropical gnatcatcher is 10 to 12 cm (3.9–4.7 in) long, and weighs 6 to 8 g (0.21–0.28 oz). Its "jizz" is similar to that of other gnatcatchers; a small bird with a relatively long thin bill, a long frequently cocked tail, grey upperparts and whitish underparts. The central rectrices are black, while the outer are white (consequently, the tail appears primarily black from above, white from below), and there is a white patch in the wing (caused by broad white edging to the tertials).
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Tropical Gnatcatcher sounds like
Where the Tropical Gnatcatcher lives
When to see the Tropical Gnatcatcher
Peak activity in March · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Black-tailed GnatcatcherPolioptila melanuraThe black-tailed gnatcatcher reaches about 4.5 to 5 inches in length, much of it taken up by a long black tail lined with white outer feathers.
Masked GnatcatcherPolioptila dumicolaThe masked gnatcatcher is 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) long and weighs 5 to 7 g (0.18 to 0.25 oz), larger than most other gnatcatchers.
California GnatcatcherPolioptila californicaThe male California gnatcatcher is dusky gray overall, distinguished only by its black crown and thin black beak.
Side by side: Blue-grey Gnatcatcher vs Tropical Gnatcatcher · Black-tailed Gnatcatcher vs Tropical Gnatcatcher · Masked Gnatcatcher vs Tropical Gnatcatcher
Learn the Tropical Gnatcatcher in BeakBrain
Photo and call practice, free in any browser.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.