The black-capped gnatcatcher has at times been treated as conspecific with the white-lored gnatcatcher (Polioptila albiloris). Two subspecies are recognized, the nominate Polioptila nigriceps nigriceps and P. n. restricta.[3][2]
DescriptionEdit
The black-capped gnatcatcher is 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in) long and weighs 5 to 8 g (0.18 to 0.28 oz). Adults are blue-gray on the upperparts with white underparts. They have a long slender bill and a long black tail with mostly white outer feathers. Males in alternate (breeding) plumage have a glossy black cap. The female's gray upperparts have less of a bluish tint but are otherwise similar to the non-breeding male. This species is very similar to the black-tailed gnatcatcher (P. melanura).[3]
Distribution and habitatEdit
The nominate black-capped gnatcatcher is found in western Mexico from central Sinaloa south to Colima. P. n. restricta is found mostly in western Mexico from eastern Sonora south to northern Sinaloa. It has occasionally nested just across the U.S. border in the Madrean sky islands area of southernmost Arizona. In the northern part of its range it inhabits mesquite thickets near riparian corridors. To the south it inhabits thorn scrub and arid deciduous woodlands. In elevation it occurs mostly below 500 m (1,600 ft). The species is primarily non-migratory, though the northernmost birds might move south after breeding.[3]
BehaviorEdit
FeedingEdit
The black-capped gnatcatcher's diet has not been documented. It is assumed to be arthropods like the diets of other gnatcatchers. They forage actively in trees or shrubs, gleaning foliage and sometimes sallying to catch insects.[3]
BreedingEdit
The black-capped gnatcatcher's breeding season spans from March to June, with the last fledging in July. The nest is a small cup constructed of twigs cemented with spider silk, lined with softer material, and placed on small branches of a low tree or shrub. The clutch size is four. Parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) has been observered in Jalisco.[3]
VocalizationEdit
The black-capped gnatcatcher's song is complex and rambling [1]. It also has a "mewing" call that is sometimes repeated [2].[3]
StatusEdit
The IUCN has assessed the black-capped gnatcatcher as being of Least Concern.[1] However, "Both races [are] restricted to ecoregions considered to be at serious risk due to agriculture and cattle grazing."[3]
^ abGill, F.; Donsker, D.; Rasmussen, P. (January 2021). "IOC World Bird List (v 11.1)". Retrieved 14 January 2021.
^ abcdefgAtwood, J. L. and S. B. Lerman (2020). Black-capped Gnatcatcher (Polioptila nigriceps), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.bkcgna.01 retrieved 29 May 2021
External linksEdit
Black-capped Gnatcatcher photo gallery VIREO
August 26, 2023
black, capped, gnatcatcher, black, capped, gnatcatcher, polioptila, nigriceps, small, songbird, family, polioptilidae, found, mexico, united, states, maleconservation, statusleast, concern, iucn, scientific, classificationdomain, eukaryotakingdom, animaliaphyl. The black capped gnatcatcher Polioptila nigriceps is a small songbird in the family Polioptilidae It is found in Mexico and the United States 2 Black capped gnatcatcherMaleConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass AvesOrder PasseriformesFamily PolioptilidaeGenus PolioptilaSpecies P nigricepsBinomial namePolioptila nigricepsBaird 1864 Contents 1 Taxonomy and systematics 2 Description 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Behavior 4 1 Feeding 4 2 Breeding 4 3 Vocalization 5 Status 6 References 7 External linksTaxonomy and systematics EditThe black capped gnatcatcher has at times been treated as conspecific with the white lored gnatcatcher Polioptila albiloris Two subspecies are recognized the nominate Polioptila nigriceps nigriceps and P n restricta 3 2 Description EditThe black capped gnatcatcher is 10 to 12 cm 3 9 to 4 7 in long and weighs 5 to 8 g 0 18 to 0 28 oz Adults are blue gray on the upperparts with white underparts They have a long slender bill and a long black tail with mostly white outer feathers Males in alternate breeding plumage have a glossy black cap The female s gray upperparts have less of a bluish tint but are otherwise similar to the non breeding male This species is very similar to the black tailed gnatcatcher P melanura 3 Distribution and habitat EditThe nominate black capped gnatcatcher is found in western Mexico from central Sinaloa south to Colima P n restricta is found mostly in western Mexico from eastern Sonora south to northern Sinaloa It has occasionally nested just across the U S border in the Madrean sky islands area of southernmost Arizona In the northern part of its range it inhabits mesquite thickets near riparian corridors To the south it inhabits thorn scrub and arid deciduous woodlands In elevation it occurs mostly below 500 m 1 600 ft The species is primarily non migratory though the northernmost birds might move south after breeding 3 Behavior EditFeeding Edit The black capped gnatcatcher s diet has not been documented It is assumed to be arthropods like the diets of other gnatcatchers They forage actively in trees or shrubs gleaning foliage and sometimes sallying to catch insects 3 Breeding Edit The black capped gnatcatcher s breeding season spans from March to June with the last fledging in July The nest is a small cup constructed of twigs cemented with spider silk lined with softer material and placed on small branches of a low tree or shrub The clutch size is four Parasitism by brown headed cowbirds Molothrus ater has been observered in Jalisco 3 Vocalization Edit The black capped gnatcatcher s song is complex and rambling 1 It also has a mewing call that is sometimes repeated 2 3 Status EditThe IUCN has assessed the black capped gnatcatcher as being of Least Concern 1 However Both races are restricted to ecoregions considered to be at serious risk due to agriculture and cattle grazing 3 References Edit a b BirdLife International 2018 Black capped Gnatcatcher Polioptila nigriceps IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018 Retrieved 29 May 2021 a b Gill F Donsker D Rasmussen P January 2021 IOC World Bird List v 11 1 Retrieved 14 January 2021 a b c d e f g Atwood J L and S B Lerman 2020 Black capped Gnatcatcher Polioptila nigriceps version 1 0 In Birds of the World J del Hoyo A Elliott J Sargatal D A Christie and E de Juana Editors Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ithaca NY USA https doi org 10 2173 bow bkcgna 01 retrieved 29 May 2021External links EditBlack capped Gnatcatcher photo gallery VIREO Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Black capped gnatcatcher amp oldid 1147248454, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
