Guianan Gnatcatcher
Polioptila guianensis
Guianan Gnatcatcher (Polioptila guianensis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South America.
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The Guianan Gnatcatcher (Polioptila guianensis) is a member of the Polioptilidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 6 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 Polioptila
- Species guianensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 6 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Polioptilidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Guianan Gnatcatcher is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Guianan Gnatcatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Guianan Gnatcatcher (Polioptila guianensis) is a member of the Polioptilidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA e Venezuela, the Guianas and n Brazil.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 6 g, with a wing length of about 4.5 cm and a tail of around 4.6 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 3.4 million km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Guianan Gnatcatcher?
The Guianan Gnatcatcher is a very small bird that weighs around 6 g.
Where does the Guianan Gnatcatcher live?
The Guianan Gnatcatcher is found across South America with a range covering SA e Venezuela, the Guianas and n Brazil, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Guianan Gnatcatcher belong to?
The Guianan Gnatcatcher (Polioptila guianensis) belongs to the Polioptilidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Guianan Gnatcatcher eat?
The Guianan Gnatcatcher is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Guianan Gnatcatcher migrate?
The Guianan Gnatcatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Guianan Gnatcatcher endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Guianan Gnatcatcher's range?
The Guianan Gnatcatcher has a mapped global range of about 3.4 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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