Gray Catbird

Least Concern

Dumetella carolinensis

This vocal mimic is a backyard favorite across North America, famous for its cat-like mewing calls and ability to copy the songs of over a dozen other birds.

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

© 2025 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 82
Strength 35
Adaptability 88
Aggressiveness 65
Endurance 75

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

Typical Lifespan Range 2 - 3 years
Max Recorded Lifespan 17.9 years
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5
10
15
20

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

Least Concern

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

Stable

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:

Mimidae

Predators

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?

  1. Gray Catbirds can mimic the calls of over 40 different species of birds.
  2. They are known to recognize individual humans and may become quite bold around regular visitors to their territory.
  3. Gray Catbirds are one of the few North American songbirds known to recognize and remove cowbird eggs from their nests.

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