Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Miniature Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher

By: Tom Berg

When it comes to small, hyperactive birds, the Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher is right up there near the top of the list. These tiny birds are smaller than a house wren, but larger than a hummingbird. They are a bluish-gray color on their backs and head, with a white belly and a bright white eye-ring around their eyes. Their long tail is usually held at an angle as they hop from tree branch to tree branch in search of insects.

Although their name says they are a gnat catcher, gnats actually make up very little of their diet. They eat a wide variety of other insects, including caterpillars, leaf hoppers, ants, beetles, flies and moths, just to name a few. They also eat plenty of small spiders.  In fact, they often check out spider webs and quickly nab any spiders that are easy prey.  But if no spiders are handy, they will steal and eat any unfortunate insects that are already caught in the spider webs!

Blue-gray gnatcatchers build their nests fairly high up in live deciduous trees. Their nest is small, usually only two or three inches wide. It is made from grasses, small twigs and strips of tree bark. Sticky strands of spider web help glue and hold the nest together. The nests are hard to see since they are small and camouflaged with bits of bark, moss and lichen, making them look like a natural part of the tree.

The inner section of the nest where the eggs are laid is lined with feathers, plant down (from milkweed seed pods, dandelions, etc) and other soft materials. The female lays 3-5 small eggs that are light blue and spotted with brown speckles. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs until they hatch.

Surprisingly, blue-gray gnatcatchers sometimes build six or seven nests during a single nesting season, including building a second nest while they are still using the first. The reason is nest predation by other birds like blue jays and crows, and also by other nest raiders such as raccoons, possums, squirrels and even snakes.

Happily, the blue-gray gnatcatcher usually prevails in the end!

Have you had a great out experience? Join Global Outdoors and write a review to tell everyone about it! We’re building the home for trusted reviews of outdoor experiences, outfitters, and guides.