Gnatcatcher

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Gnatcatchers
Polioptila californica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Polioptilidae
Baird, 1858
Genera

Microbates
Ramphocaenus
Polioptila

The 15 species of small passerine birds in the gnatcatcher family occur in North and South America. Most species of this mainly tropical and sub-tropical group are resident, but the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher of the USA and southern Canada migrates south in winter.

These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their structure and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects. The gnatcatchers and gnatwrens are mainly soft bluish grey in colour, and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill.

They are birds of fairly open woodland or scrub, and nest in bushes or trees.

A species new to science, the Iquitos Gnatcatcher Polioptila clementsi was first described in 2005.

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