Gray Catbird
Least ConcernDumetella carolinensis
Visual Identification
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.
Size
Length
20cm to 24cm
Wingspan
22cm to 28cm
Weight
23g to 56g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey
Secondary Colour
Black
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Gray Catbird. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Gray Catbird demonstrates impressive agility through its ability to hop and flit efficiently through dense shrubs and vegetation. Their skilled manoeuvring whilst foraging and their capacity to navigate thick undergrowth shows excellent spatial awareness and nimbleness.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a small to medium-sized songbird weighing between 23-56g, the Gray Catbird possesses modest strength. Whilst capable of building substantial nests and defending territory, their physical power is proportionate to their size class.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Highly adaptable species, thriving in various habitats from woodland edges to urban gardens. Their omnivorous diet, ability to mimic over 40 bird species, and successful colonisation of human-modified environments demonstrates remarkable adaptability. Their recognition and removal of cowbird eggs also shows sophisticated adaptive behaviour.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Whilst not overtly aggressive, Gray Catbirds display notable territorial behaviour, particularly during breeding season. They actively defend their nests and show bold behaviour towards potential threats, including larger birds and even humans, though they're not typically hostile without cause.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Their long-distance migration patterns and ability to maintain complex songs for extended periods demonstrate good endurance. They successfully navigate lengthy seasonal journeys between North America and Central America, whilst maintaining energy for breeding and territorial defence.
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.
Vocalisation
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.
Lifespan
years
The Gray Catbird typically lives for 2 to 3 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 17.9 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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 Data
Global Population Estimate
29,000,000 mature individuals
Global Population Trend
Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating
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
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Northern Catbird, Grey Catbird, Slate-colored Mockingbird
Family:
MimidaePredators
Gray Catbirds face predation from various animals, including domestic cats, hawks, owls, snakes, and squirrels. Nest predators also include Blue Jays and crows.
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.
Community Experience
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