Species Profile
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernLifespan
2–3 years
Length
20–24 cm
Weight
23–56 g
Wingspan
22–28 cm
Migration
Long-distance Migrant
Also known as: Northern Catbird, Grey Catbird, Slate-colored Mockingbird
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Appearance
The Gray Catbird is a slender, medium-sized songbird with distinctive slate-gray plumage covering most of its body. It has a black cap on its head, a long dark tail, and a rusty-brown or chestnut patch under its tail.
Both males and females share identical coloration. Young birds (juveniles) are grayer overall with less distinct markings than adults, and notably lack the black cap and rich rusty undertail coloring. They quickly develop adult coloring in their first few months.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Grey
- Secondary
- Black
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Black
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Gray Catbirds are found across much of North America, breeding in the eastern and central United States and southern Canada. They prefer dense, shrubby areas, including woodland edges, thickets, and overgrown gardens.
During winter, they migrate to the southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. In the US, they are common backyard birds in many eastern and central states during the breeding season.
Distribution
Diet
Gray Catbirds are omnivorous, with a diet consisting primarily of insects and berries. They forage on the ground and in shrubs, eating a variety of beetles, caterpillars, and spiders.
In late summer and fall, they switch to a more fruit-based diet, consuming blackberries, elderberries, and other small fruits.
Behaviour
Gray Catbirds are known for their cat-like mewing call, which they use frequently. They are often seen hopping and flitting through dense shrubs and low vegetation, foraging for insects and berries.
These birds are generally solitary but may form loose flocks during migration.
Calls & Sounds
The Gray Catbird's most distinctive vocalization is its cat-like 'mew' call, which gives the species its name. Their song is a long, varied series of whistles, squeaks, and gurgles, often incorporating mimicry of other birds and even mechanical sounds.
Males can sing for several minutes without repeating phrases.
Nesting & Breeding
Gray Catbirds typically form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which runs from late April to early August. Males attract females with a complex song that includes mimicry of other bird species.
The female builds a bulky cup-shaped nest in dense shrubs or small trees, using twigs, grass, and leaves. She lays 3-5 blue-green eggs and incubates them for about 12-13 days.
Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 10-11 days. Gray Catbirds often raise two broods per season in the southern parts of their range.
Conservation
While Gray Catbirds are currently listed as Least Concern, they face threats from habitat loss due to urban development and agricultural expansion. Climate change may also affect their breeding and wintering grounds.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving shrubby habitats and promoting bird-friendly gardening practices.
Population
Estimated: 29,000,000 mature individuals
Trend: Stable
Elevation
Up to 2,000 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- Gray Catbirds face predation from various animals, including domestic cats, hawks, owls, snakes, and squirrels. Nest predators also include Blue Jays and crows.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for their distinctive cat-like 'mew' call
- Look for movement in dense shrubs and thickets
- Check berry-producing plants, especially during late summer
- In the US, visit woodland edges and gardens during breeding season
- Observe early morning or late afternoon when they're most active
Did You Know?
- Gray Catbirds can mimic the calls of over 40 different species of birds.
- They are known to recognize individual humans and may become quite bold around regular visitors to their territory.
- Gray Catbirds are one of the few North American songbirds known to recognize and remove cowbird eggs from their nests.
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