The masked gnatcatcher is a small songbird in the family Polioptilidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Region
South-central South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from lowlands of eastern Bolivia and Paraguay through northern and central Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay. It favors scrub, thorny woodland, and chaco-like habitats, as well as riparian thickets and second-growth edges. Often found along woodland margins, hedgerows, and in semi-open savanna with scattered shrubs. It adapts well to human-modified landscapes, including ranchlands and parks, provided there is brushy cover.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny, active gnatcatcher often flicks and fans its long tail while foraging, flashing white tail edges that help flush hidden insects. Males show a striking black facial mask in the breeding season, while females are plainer gray. The species builds a neat, cup-shaped nest bound with spider silk and well camouflaged against a forked branch. It readily uses scrubby edges and even parks and gardens in parts of its range.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies
Social Behavior
Typically seen in pairs or family groups and often joins mixed-species flocks while foraging. Both sexes participate in building a small cup nest camouflaged with lichens and spider silk. Pairs maintain small territories and show frequent tail-flicking and wing-quivering displays.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a thin, high-pitched series of sibilant twitters and buzzy trills delivered from low perches. Calls include sharp tik or tsit notes and soft scolding rattles. Vocalizations are persistent but quiet, often given while actively foraging.
Plumage
Fine-textured, sleek plumage with smooth gray upperparts and whitish underparts; long tail with white outer feathers. Males in breeding condition show a bold black mask and cap; females and non-breeding birds are plainer with a faint pale eyebrow.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small arthropods, including insects such as beetles, caterpillars, ants, and flies, as well as spiders. It gleans from leaves and twigs and occasionally makes short sallies to catch prey in mid-air. Tail-fanning and flicking behavior helps flush hidden insects from foliage.
Preferred Environment
Forages in scrub and low to mid-levels of open woodlands, along edges, and in riparian thickets. Frequently uses second-growth and semi-open habitats with dense shrub layers, and may forage in gardens and hedgerows.
