Black-capped Gnatcatcher (Polioptila nigriceps), Lake Patagonia, Santa Cruz County

Black-capped Gnatcatchers have been seen off and on in Patagonia since the first US record there in 1971.  The birds currently resident at Lake Patagonia were first found 8 October 2002 by Rich Hoyer, Dave Sonneborn and Molly Pollock.   A pair has been resident there ever since.  These photographs were taken on 26 November 2005 by Oliver Niehius and Pierre Deviche

The first US record of Black-capped Gnatcatcher was in Arizona in 1971 along Sonoita Creek near the Patagonia Roadside Rest.  They were extremely rare and sporadic in Arizona until this pair was found. Since then they have been reliably found at multiple locations.  Currently pairs are known from Madera Canyon, Lake Patagonia and Montosa Canyon.  This gnatcatcher is often found in association with Hackberry trees.  Care should be exercised in identifying Black-capped Gnatcatchers because they are known to hybridize with Black-tailed Gnatcatchers (P. melanura).  The call is very distinctive among Arizona gnatcatcher species. 

Black-capped Gnatcatcher is an ABC review species.. The ABC requests that reports of these species be accompanied by full details, including when possible, a photo, tape recording, video, or field sketch.  Please send documentation to the Arizona Bird Committee via the online form or click here for further instructions and information about ABC.  Submission of documentation to AZFO does not constitute submission to the ABC.

 

Note the bill appears shorter in the above photo because the head is turned toward the camera.

26 November 2005 photos by Oliver Niehuis

26 November 2005 photo by Pierre Deviche