Gray Catbird
The Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) is a slim, slate gray bird with a black cap, blackish tail, and chestnut undertail coverts; it is 8.75 inches in length. This bird commonly flips its tail as it is moving around on its perch, often making it easy to detect. It is one of our mimic species, and it is related to mockingbirds and thrashers, so it is very good at imitating the song of other birds.
It is commonly found in brushy areas, particularly near water sources in parks, yards, and gardens where it forages for its diet of worms, insects, and berries. It is an uncommon feeder bird, but can sometimes be attracted to feeders with mealworms, apples, or grape jelly.
The song of the Gray Catbird is a series of disjointed sounds that are often an imitation of other birds' sounds. They usually do not repeat their sounds; however, this pattern does not always hold true. Sometimes the Catbird will only sing a note one time but sometimes it may repeat it a couple of times before switching to another sound. When identifying the Gray Catbird and trying to distinguish it from the song of the Northern Mockingbird or Brown Thrasher, it is best to listen for its call note, a cat-like mewing, or a harsh tcheck-tcheck. The song of the Gray Catbird can be quite lengthy, sometimes lasting up to 10 minutes at a time.
Click here for additional information and a range map.
Click on the player below to hear vocalizations of the Gray Catbird.
It is commonly found in brushy areas, particularly near water sources in parks, yards, and gardens where it forages for its diet of worms, insects, and berries. It is an uncommon feeder bird, but can sometimes be attracted to feeders with mealworms, apples, or grape jelly.
The song of the Gray Catbird is a series of disjointed sounds that are often an imitation of other birds' sounds. They usually do not repeat their sounds; however, this pattern does not always hold true. Sometimes the Catbird will only sing a note one time but sometimes it may repeat it a couple of times before switching to another sound. When identifying the Gray Catbird and trying to distinguish it from the song of the Northern Mockingbird or Brown Thrasher, it is best to listen for its call note, a cat-like mewing, or a harsh tcheck-tcheck. The song of the Gray Catbird can be quite lengthy, sometimes lasting up to 10 minutes at a time.
Click here for additional information and a range map.
Click on the player below to hear vocalizations of the Gray Catbird.