BREEDING AND DISPERSAL BIOLOGY OF THE CALIFORNIA GNATCATCHER IN CENTRAL ORANGE COUNTY

Abstract

The California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) is a persistent nester, attempting up to seven nests after repeated failures (Bontrager 1991). I collected data on the dispersal and breeding biology of the gnatcatcher, particularly relating to nesting success and nest location, in Orange County, California.