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Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher

Here's a typical view of a little bird that's often overlooked. Took this photo in the Altamaha Wildlife Management Area in southern GA, near where the Yellow-breasted Chat was. I was first alerted by it's cute, very high-pitched, nasal "meept" sound. I looked up and saw it moving, faster than a warbler on caffeine, in the maple tree.
Note the long tail and the white outer-tail feathers, (here folded up under the tail), which help distinguish it from its relatives the California and Black-tail Gnatcatchers who have mostly black undertails.
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers winter in the far southern parts of the country, but breed over much of it. Look for them in spring in your area.

1 comment:

Lydia said...

I love the image of "a warbler on caffine" well put. Lydia