---
title: "California Gnatcatcher"
description: "Polioptila californica — Uccelli. The California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) is a small, 10.8-centimetre-long (4.3 in) insectivorous bird which frequents dense coastal sage scrub growth."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/it/animal/california-gnatcatcher
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# California Gnatcatcher

> Polioptila californica — Uccelli. The California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) is a small, 10.8-centimetre-long (4.3 in) insectivorous bird which frequents dense coastal sage scrub growth.

- Scientific name: *Polioptila californica*
- Category: `birds` (Uccelli)
- Habitats: unknown
- iNaturalist observations: 3051
- Wikidata: [Q841099](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q841099)
- iNaturalist taxon: [7497](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/7497)

## Names

- en: California Gnatcatcher
- de: Kalifornischer Mückenfänger
- es: Perlita californiana
- fr: Gobemoucheron de Californie
- nl: Californische muggenvanger
- pt: Balança-rabo-da-california
- pl: Siwuszka kalifornijska

## Countries with the most observations

US (2449), MX (321)

## Summary

The California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) is a small, 10.8-centimetre-long (4.3 in) insectivorous bird which frequents dense coastal sage scrub growth. This species was recently split from the similar black-tailed gnatcatcher of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. This bird is often solitary, but joins with other birds in winter flocks.

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_gnatcatcher

## Photo

![California Gnatcatcher](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/california-gnatcatcher/medium.jpg)

Photo: Tory Bush · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/365186509

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/california-gnatcatcher?lang=it` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).