Editing Gnatcatcher (section)

== Population ==
Over the years, the population of the California gnatcatcher has fluctuated dramatically. In the early 1990s, the population was estimated to be only 1,000 to 3,000 pairs due to habitat destruction, primarily from urban expansion. As southern California grew, vast areas of coastal sage scrub were converted into housing developments, agriculture, and infrastructure, which resulted in the loss of the gnatcatcher's habitat. The species was listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1993, prompting conservation efforts to protect its remaining habitats. Today, the population is estimated to be around 20,000 to 40,000 individuals. thanks to restoration and preservation projects.