Perching

Black-capped Gnatcatcher

Polioptila nigriceps
Black-capped Gnatcatcher thumbnail
Length: 4 in. (11 cm )
Barely entering the United States from Mexico, this species is restricted to dry thorny undergrowth of foothill forests. It hunts actively for insects on vegetation and during the winter usually stays with large flocks of titmice, kinglets, and vireos. In the summer pairs are found near the small nest in a fork of a low bush or shrub. The male has a black cap during the breeding season but loses it in the winter

The four-digit banding code is BCGN.

Male | Jim Burns

Female | Robert Shantz


Desert

Mesquite bosque

Riparian / River forest

Shrubs
Bird Sound Type: Rattling
Sex of Bird: Male
Sonogram Large:
Sonogram Zoom:
Bird Sound Type: Grating
Sex of Bird: Male
Sonogram Large:
There are no sonograms saved for this bird.
Sonogram Zoom:
There are no sonograms saved for this bird.
Bird Sound Type: Grating
Sex of Bird: Male
Sonogram Large:
Sonogram Zoom:

View Citation

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Black-capped Gnatcatcher
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: July 13, 2017
  • Date accessed: March 6, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/black-capped-gnatcatcher

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, July 13). Black-capped Gnatcatcher. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved March 6, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/black-capped-gnatcatcher

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Black-capped Gnatcatcher". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 July, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/black-capped-gnatcatcher

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Black-capped Gnatcatcher". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 6 Mar 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/black-capped-gnatcatcher

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
Barracuda, an elongate fish
How did ancient fish make the evolutionary jump from gills to lungs?

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon  Contribute

 

Share to Google Classroom