Dumetella carolinensis
Gray Catbird
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.
Length
20cm to 24cm
Wingspan
22cm to 28cm
Weight
23g to 56g
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Grey
Secondary Colour
Black
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Up to 2,000 meters
Temperate, Subtropical
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Global Population Estimate
29,000,000 mature individuals
Global Population Trend
Northern Catbird, Grey Catbird, Slate-colored Mockingbird
Gray Catbirds face predation from various animals, including domestic cats, hawks, owls, snakes, and squirrels. Nest predators also include Blue Jays and crows.
Your feedback helps us improve our content
No ratings yet - be the first to rate this bird!
Sign in to be the first to review