Photo: Joseph Smit / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Collared Gnatwren
Microbates collaris
Collared Gnatwren (Microbates collaris) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South America.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Collared Gnatwren (Microbates collaris) is a member of the Polioptilidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 10.2 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Polioptilidae Gnatcatchers
- Genus Microbates
- Species collaris
Quick facts
- Weight
- 10.2 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Polioptilidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Collared Gnatwren is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Collared Gnatwren is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Collared Gnatwren (Microbates collaris) belongs to the Polioptilidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA n, w Amazonia.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 10.2 g, with a wing length of about 5.4 cm and a tail of around 2.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 2.4 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Collared Gnatwren?
The Collared Gnatwren is a very small bird that weighs around 10.2 g.
Where does the Collared Gnatwren live?
The Collared Gnatwren is found across South America with a range covering SA n, w Amazonia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Collared Gnatwren belong to?
The Collared Gnatwren (Microbates collaris) belongs to the Polioptilidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Collared Gnatwren eat?
The Collared Gnatwren is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Collared Gnatwren migrate?
The Collared Gnatwren is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Collared Gnatwren endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Collared Gnatwren make?
1 real field recording of the Collared Gnatwren — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Collared Gnatwren's range?
The Collared Gnatwren has a mapped global range of about 2.4 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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