It’s always a pleasure to spot an unusual bird in the garden. Recently, I spied this tiny cutie, as it flitted and flashed between shrubs and trees, remaining immobile for only brief periods.
Though a rare sighting in my garden, this Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea, isn’t out of its normal range. My garden sits in the orange area (breeding range), near the border with the purple (year-round range) area in Cornell’s map of gnatcatcher range.
I’ve seen gnatcatchers in the garden on two other occasions, years apart. Maybe they’re in my garden more than I realize or observe, as they’re tricky to identify, being diminutive speed demons, hiding in the bramble of bushes.
This one was on a rapid-fire feeding frenzy, zipping from shrub to shrub to tree, looking for insects and spiders, the gnatcatchers’ main sources of food. It perched a few times in my Red Bud tree, just long enough for me to say ‘hi’ and catch some shots of the catcher.
My last sighting was this aerodynamic pose in the second before the teeny gnatcatcher belted away, no doubt in pursuit of a yummy munchie.
The gnatcatcher is a little bird, but big birds are also around, and they’re usually predators hunting for prey. If you’re squeamish about seeing a predator with its prey, you’ll want to move on to your next gardening blog or bit of political news.
This handsome juvenile Cooper’s Hawk, Accipiter cooperii, was upsetting the Blue Jays and a bunch of other birds as it sat in my SIL’s garden early one morning. I snapped a couple of photos just before it flew off, but didn’t see it clutching its breakfast, an unlucky White-wing Dove, until I downloaded my photos.
Bird breeding season is just about completed; chicks have passed the fledgling stage and have matured to juveniles. Like this young hawk, they’re learning to fend for themselves. Next up in the backyard birding world is fall migration; it’s already started, but will peak in September/October. In my garden, I don’t see as many migratory birds in the fall as I do in spring, but maybe this year will be different. Either way, safe travels to the migrants and continued growth and learning for the neighborhood birds.
My Gardener Says... 
Given all the flitting about you describe as normal gnatcatcher behavior, you did a good job catching pictures of the little bird.
I wouldn’t have noticed the hawk’s prey if you hadn’t pointed it out.
With 102°–103° as predicted highs this week in Austin, you’re right that the natural world is nevertheless beginning to shift toward fall.
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Thanks, Steve. I was pretty happy with the shots, though there plenty that were blurry.
As for the hawk, I was even using my binocs and didn’t see the dove until the computer.
The days are shorter, but yeah, it’s gonna be a hot one this week.
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Wonderful image of the hawk with prey!
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Thanks, Sam. I saw what was probably that same hawk later in the day, as I walked my dog. The blue jays were chasing it, but I then saw the hawk in a different tree on another street eating dinner. There a plenty of doves around here, so I guess there’s good eating!
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I’ve had the gnatcatchers visit and they are hard to spot and identify. Don’t say fall is coming already. Time flies.
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They’re such tiny birds and they don’t sit still for long. I’m always happy when fall comes. Shorter days, but cooler. Eventually. 🙂
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What a fun little bird. I guess I’m in the normal range for its breeding, too, but I don’t think I’ve seen one. I’ll have to check on the song and listen for it. We do often have Cooper’s hawks, though, and I often wonder if the chipmunks’ and cardinals’ squawking is because of a hawk visit. Hawks are such regal birds.
Beth@PlantPostings
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I was chuffed to see it in the garden, Beth! I’d seen one (or it…) a few days before, so I’d been on the lookout for it.
I know our birds raise a ruckus when a predator is around, I’m certain that’s what you’re hearing from yours.
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What a cutie! I esp. love the whimsical second shot with the bokeh background.
While I don’t like to see birds of prey eating other birds (just rodents please!), I realize Nature knows what works best.
I’ve noted the last nestlings to fledge this week (House wrens) and the noticeable lack of bird song of late. Hard to believe they are already starting southward movement. Wah, I miss our summer friends when they leave us!
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It’s a very cute little bird. If you clicked on the link to Cornell’s site, there are much better photos of gnatcatchers. (DUH)
I wish raptors would only eat critters we don’t want, but that’s not the way nature is set up. Still, they’re magnificent and a thrill to see in the neighborhood.
I’m noticing that the birds are eating less at the feeders and most of the hatch year neighborhood birds are completely independent of their parents. Well, except for a couple of slacker blue jay teens. 🙂
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Those are wonderful photos of the gnat-catcher. I’ve seen only one, but I can affirm that it was one of the flightiest birds I’ve ever seen! It took me a while to figure out exactly what I’d seen, and I was thrilled when I did.
I saw a goldfinch at my feeder again today. I’m not sure if it’s the same one that’s been hanging around, but I suspect so. I have a molting cardinal, which is both humorous and interesting, and the young bluejays still are coming to the feeder for their peanuts.
As for doves — oh, my goodness! There have been as many as thirty whitewings at the feeders. I haven’t seen any other doves species for a while. Maybe the whitewings drive them off. There’s at least one neighborhood hawk that knows where to come for a good meal, though! The feathers on the ground attest to that.
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Love that second shot of the Gnatcatcher and a great capture of the Hawk!
I always find the few birds I get in my garden go very quite this time of the year as they start the moult.
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Thanks, Brian! The hawk, while further away, sat still and was a bigger target, so a bit easier in some ways.
I’m also noticing that the birds are not as active. I only fill the feeders every few days, with the exception of the peanuts, because the darned Starlings are bird-pigs. They’ll hopefully be gone soon though, or that has been the paradigm in the last few years.
As an aside, I think WP has tagged me a spammer. I realized last week that my comments were not appearing on any blogs, so I’ve been reaching out to bloggers with whom I regularly comment. Several have mentioned that they found my comments in their spam. I noticed that on your last post, my comment appeared. After some sage advice from another blogger, I’m having some success at commenting. But I need to be pulled from the spam box! In your next post, I will comment, but I might ping you through email to check your spam if my comment doesn’t appear. I don’t know how long this will last, hopefully not too long…
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Adding new yard birds is always exciting. I love these little gnatcatchers, especially their soft and cute vocalizations. It’s nice you were able to snap a few photos of this very active bird.
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I was very excited to see the little guy/gal. I’ve seen some before, but they’re rare birds in my garden. I liked its vocalizations too, very sweet!
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Yes, very sweet. Hearing them always makes me smile.
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