gnatcatcher

noun gnat·catch·er \ ˈnat-ˌka-chər , -ˌke- \

Definition of gnatcatcher

: any of a genus (Polioptila) of several small North and South American insectivorous oscine birds

Recent Examples of gnatcatcher from the Web

There were several family groups of Carolina chickadees, tufted titmice and blue-gray gnatcatchers; flocks that often beckon traveling migrants to join in.

— taylor piephoff, charlotteobserver, "Migrating birds begin to show up in late August," 23 Aug. 2017
A 2016 bird count tallied multiple species of herons, cormorants, pelicans, hawks, plover, gnatcatchers, quail, and terns, among others.

— deborah sullivan brennan, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Parking lot becomes salt marsh in Del Mar wetland restoration," 17 July 2017
These included several legal fights in Southern California over the listings and habitat designations for the Stephens’ kangaroo rat, coastal California gnatcatcher, Peninsular bighorn sheep, and Quino checkerspot butterfly.

— david danelski, The Mercury News, "California Democrats prepare to battle GOP over Endangered Species Act," 19 Apr. 2017
Docents will discuss the Pacific pocket mouse and the California gnatcatcher.

— oc disney staff, Orange County Register, "15 things to do this weekend in Orange County (March 3-5)," 1 Mar. 2017
Its hillsides and areas around the base are full of coastal sage scrub and prickly pear cacti, providing habitat for the California gnatcatcher and coastal cactus wren.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Pomerado News, "Hikers, are you up for a challenge?," 5 July 2017
She identified by ear a cedar waxwing, a reclusive wood thrush, a gray catbird (with its catty mew), a red-winged blackbird, a tree swallow, several cardinals and a frenetic blue-gray gnatcatcher.

— atlanta life, ajc, "Methodist Home site Decatur purchased holds historical, natural gems," 14 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gnatcatcher.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.