Gray Catbird

Jill StaakeJill StaakeUpdated: Apr. 24, 2020

Don’t let the Gray Catbird fool you with its mimic calls. It can easily imitate the songs of other popular backyard birds.

Photos

Linda Petersen
Gray Catbird
Roland Jordahl
Gray Catbird

Information

Gray CatbirdLinda Petersen
Linda Petersen Gray Catbird

Scientific Name: Dumetella carolinensis.
Family: Mimic thrush.
Length: 8-1/2 inches.
Wingspan: 11 inches.
Distinctive Markings: Slate-gray body with a black cap and tail, rust-red feathers under tail.
Nest: Builds nest in a garden shrub or thickets near creeks or swamps. Female usually lays four glossy teal eggs.
Voice: Alarm call is a catlike mewing; song is a mix of notes, may mimic other songbirds.
Habitat: Dense thickets.
Diet: Insects and berries.
Backyard Favorites: Grape jelly and birdbaths.

Bird Song & Range Map

Listen to the Gray Catbird’s song and learn where to spot them!

Bird songs provided by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Gray Catbird Bird SpeciesRange maps provided by Kaufman Field Guides, the official field guide of Birds & Blooms.

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Originally Published: September 28, 2013

Jill Staake
Jill Staake
Jill lives in Tampa, Florida, and writes about gardening, butterflies, outdoor projects and birding. When she's not gardening, you'll find her reading, traveling and happily digging her toes into the sand on the beach.