Bird Watching: Gray Catbird

You might not notice the gray catbird in your yard, because it tends to hide in dense shrubbery. However, if you suddenly hear a loud, harsh "meow" or shrill whine similar to that of a cat's while strolling by some shrubs, chances are that you have a catbird. (Imitate the sound, and the gray catbird might pop out to investigate.) I have noticed a lot of gray catbirds in my gardens this year. Perhaps they have gotten used to us. (They are really not that shy.) They may also like the fact that we give our birds lots of fruit, which gray catbirds dearly love. Whatever the reason, they are actually very distinctive-looking birds, despite the fact that they are -- well -- gray.

The gray catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) was once known simply as "catbird" until the "gray" was added to distinguish it from the black catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris) of southern Mexico. The gray catbird measures about 8-9¼ inches or a little smaller than a robin. (It is also much more slender than a robin.) It is a slate-gray color with a black cap, long black tail, and rusty-colored coverts under the tail. It is also related to the mockingbird [see: Bird Watching: Northern Mockingbird]; however, the gray catbird does not have the number of songs in its repertoire that the mockingbird has. It can definitely mimic cats and also frogs and some other birds, though. (I am a bit relieved, however. We have a crazy mockingbird that has decided to go through its entire song list around 2-3:00 in the morning. I do not think we could stand another bird exercising its vocal range.)

Gray catbirds breed from British Columbia, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia in Canada southward into Washington, Texas, and Georgia in the United States. They winter from the Carolinas southward to the Gulf Coast. Some are also regular visitors further north in New England. As previously mentioned, they prefer dense shrubs and thickets. Twice each breeding season, they lay 2-6 dark blue-green eggs in a nest built low to the ground. The female incubates the eggs, which hatch in about 13-15 days. The fledglings then leave the nest about 10-15 days later.

Gray catbirds forage for insects on the ground in the dense thickets they prefer. Such insects as Japanese beetles, cicadas, caterpillars, moths, crickets, June bugs, dragonflies, spiders, and centipedes account for about half their diet. They also like various fruits and berries; e.g., grapes, blackberries, and blueberries. You can attract them to your yard and feeders by supplying them with these fruits, as well as raisins, peanuts, cereal, cheese, and even boiled potatoes. Remember to also supply them -- along with your other birds -- with water.

So, just remember if you hear a catlike sound coming from some bushes, there is probably a catbird in there. You can make "squeaking" or "pishing" sounds with your hands to lure them out.

References:

Alsop III, Fred J. All About Tennessee Birds. Birmingham, AL: Sweetwater Press, 1997.

Carpenter, Tom. The Gardener's Bird Book. Minnetonka, MN: National Home Gardening Club, 1999.

Bull, John and John Farrand, Jr. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds: Eastern Edition. NY, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1994.