STATUS: Fairly common.
HABITAT: Primarily inhabits live oak forests but also pine-oak communities; mountain canyons with sycamores, maples, and tall chaparral; or streamside willows. Prefers tree stands with open canopies.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Live oaks.
NEST: Builds a hanging cup nest that is anchored to horizontal twigs and usually near the tips of the branches, mostly in oaks. Locates nest 7 to 25 feet above the ground.
FOOD: Gleans food from foliage and small twigs, and occasionally hawks flying insects. Mostly eats insects, plus some spiders and small berries.
REFERENCES: Chapin 1925, Harrison 1979, Verner and Boss 1980, Terrill in Farrand 1983c.