tiny bird in Berkeley CA

by Donna
(Berkeley, CA, USA)

Very tiny , slender body with long dark tail at least as long as body and a long slender black beak. Subtle pale-ish beige coloring overall with top of head slightly darker and underside slightly paler. Maybe subtle striping on wing. No crest on head.

Similar to bushtit in size and coloring but much more slender with longer beak.

Similar to blue-grey gnatcatcher, but more beige in color, blacker beak and no white on underside of tail.

Very active, small flock, insect eater(?) in late January/early February. In my brushy backyard.

Sorry, no pics (it's gone before you can grab a camera).

I appreciate any help you can offer!