California gnatcatcher

noun

: a bluish-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) native to coastal scrubland from southern California to Baja California that closely resembles the black-tailed gnatcatcher but with less white on the underside of the tail

The California gnatcatcher is a threatened, small bird species with a call that resembles a kitten's mew. It has been the center of multiple habitat-conservation efforts along the Southern California coast.

—Mark Glover, Sacramento Bee, 26 Sept. 2012

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!