Copyright: monacoeye • Do not copy without permission • Lagoa do Peixe • Nov 2009

Bird name: Masked Gnatcatcher
Latin: Polioptila dumicola
Other: Balança-rabo-de-máscara (Br) • Tacuarita azul (Es)
Family: Polioptilidae • Gnatcatchers
Range: North Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and south and central Brazil

The individual pictured is a female Masked Gnatcatcher, since she only has a dark patch behind the eye, not a full dark mask, and she has light, not dark, underparts.

This Masked Gnatcatcher seemed to be interested in the small plants (mosses?) growing on this fruit (fig?) tree, where she will have found small insects. Often cocks tail (below in “more photos”).More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Tropical Gnatcatcher
Latin: Polioptila plumbea
Other:
Family: Polioptilidae • Gnatcatchers
Range: South Mexico to Peru and northeast Brazil

A few views of Tropical Gnatcatchers from Panama. These individuals have black markings near the bill and chin, unlike the illustrations in Ridgely and Gwynne which have a white face. Otherwise Tropical Gnatcatchers are generally white below and dark above, with a black line behind eye meeting black cap.

These are small fast moving birds, working the branches of large trees.More photos...

Copyright: monacoeye • Panama, May 2010 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Long Billed Gnatwren
Latin: Ramphocaenus melanurus
Other:
Family: Polioptilidae • Gnatcatchers
Range: Southeast Mexico through Amazonia

There’s no mistaking the Long-billed Gnatwren, which has a very long bill and mostly buffy underparts. It also has a long thin tail, which is often cocked, like other gnatcatchers.

Not that easy to see. We spotted this one in Metropolitan Park in Panama City.More photos...

200 Polioptilidae - Gnatcatchers

Microbates collaris - Collared Gnatwren - N, W Amazonia
Microbates cinereiventris - Tawny-faced Gnatwren - Nicaragua to E Peru

Ramphocaenus melanurus - Long-billed Gnatwren - SE Mexico through Amazonia

Polioptila caerulea - Blue-grey Gnatcatcher - SE Canada to Nicaragua
Polioptila melanura - Black-tailed Gnatcatcher - SW USA, N Mexico
Polioptila californica - California Gnatcatcher - SW USA, NW Mexico
Polioptila lembeyei - Cuban Gnatcatcher - Cuba
Polioptila albiloris - White-lored Gnatcatcher - W Mexico to Costa Rica
Polioptila nigriceps - Black-capped Gnatcatcher - Mexico
Polioptila plumbea - Tropical Gnatcatcher - S Mexico to Peru & NE Brazil
Polioptila lactea - Creamy-bellied Gnatcatcher - SE South America
Polioptila guianensis - Guianan Gnatcatcher - Venezuela to E Brazil
Polioptila facilis - Rio Negro Gnatcatcher - NW Amazonian Brazil
Polioptila paraensis - Para Gnatcatcher - SE Amazonian Brazil
Polioptila clementsi - Iquitos Gnatcatcher - NE Peru
Polioptila schistaceigula - Slate-throated Gnatcatcher - Panama to Ecuador
Polioptila dumicola - Masked Gnatcatcher - C, SE South America