Polioptilidae

views updated May 14 2018

Polioptilidae (gnatcatchers, gnatwrens; class Aves, order Passeriformes) A family of small, active birds; gnatcatchers are mainly grey and white, gnatwrens are mainly brown. Both have long, slender bills and long tails, inhabit scrub, often near water, feed on insects, and nest in trees. There are three genera, with 13 species, found in N., Central, and S. America, and the W. Indies.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

gnatcatchers

views updated May 21 2018

gnatcatchers See POLIOPTILIDAE.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

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Gnatcatchers

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