The California Gnatcatcher and the Black-tailed Gnatcatcher were considered the same species until the late 1980s. There are plumage and voice differences between the two species, with Black-tailed Gnatcatchers appearing paler overall and having more white on the tail than California Gnatcatchers. Their preferred habitat in the U.S. portion of their range is coastal shrublands consisting of California sagebrush, salvia, prickly-pear cactus, and buckwheat, a habitat that was relatively limited to begin with, and has been greatly reduced due to urban development along the southern California coast. In the United States, the California Gnatcatcher was listed as a "threatened species" in 1993, under the Endangered Species Act. There has been some controversy and court clashes between development groups, environmental groups, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife over management of species, and proposed development in their habitat.
Habitat
The California Gnatcatcher inhabits coastal sage scrub and dry shrublands of southern California and northwestern Baja California. It favors low, open vegetation dominated by sagebrush, buckwheat, cactus, and other drought-adapted shrubs, where it forages actively among the foliage for insects and spiders.
Diet
The California Gnatcatcher feeds primarily on small insects and spiders gleaned from the leaves, twigs, and flowers of coastal sage scrub vegetation. Its diet includes caterpillars, beetles, flies, leafhoppers, ants, and other tiny arthropods, with spiders forming an important component throughout the year.
Behavior
Moves quickly through the foliage of shrubs and other low vegetation in search of insects and spiders. They will also sometimes hover to glean insects from vegetation.
Nesting
The nest of a California Gnatcatcher is a small cup of grasses, weeds, leaves, spider webs, and other material, placed in a shrub, usually within 5 feet of the ground. The female lays between 3 and 5 eggs, and both parents help to incubate them. When the eggs hatch, both parents help to feed the young, who leave the nest after about 16 days.
Song
The California Gnatcatcher gives a variety of soft, nasal, catlike calls often described as mewing or scratchy scolding notes. Its song is a quiet series of thin, wheezy whistles, chips, and raspy phrases that can be difficult to hear, especially compared to many other songbirds.
Migration
Considered a permanent resident throughout its range.
Similar Species
Most likely to be confused with the Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher , Black-capped Gnatcatcher. The California Gnatcatcher is most similar to the Black-tailed Gnatcatcher and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. California Gnatcatchers are darker gray overall than Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, lack obvious white eye rings, and show much less white in the outer tail. Black-tailed Gnatcatchers have an almost entirely black tail below with very limited white edging and are usually found in desert scrub rather than coastal sage scrub. The Black-capped Gnatcatcher is more contrasting, with males showing an extensive solid black cap and brighter white underparts. Habitat is often a helpful clue: California Gnatcatchers are strongly associated with coastal sage scrub, whereas the other species are primarily birds of desert scrub, riparian areas, or thorn forests.
Conservation Status
Populations are decreasing due to habitat loss. In the California portion of their range, habitat loss has resulted in drastic declines in the species, and they are listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act in the United States. However, they are still a relatively common species in parts of their Mexican range. On a global basis, the IUCN lists the California Gnatcatcher as a species of "Least Concern".
Photo Information
Photo taken by Blake Matheson - August 20th, 2008 - Near White Point in southern California - Photo licensed under Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 2.0 Generic License
Interactive eBird Map
Click to access the interactive eBird map page for California Gnatcatcher sightings
