The Gray Catbird is a medium-size songbird related to mockingbirds.
Although they’re not the most eye-catching bird to look at, they are a firm favorite of many birders. Their bold personalities and complex vocalizations more than make up for their unassuming appearance.
While they are a frequent visitor to backyards, they spend much of their time in thickets of dense vegetation. In fact, they are often heard before they are seen.
Today, we’ll be exploring 12 facts about the gray catbird.
1. The gray catbird is a mimic
Gray Catbirds are relatives of mockingbirds. They, like mockingbirds, can mimic birds and even other animals like frogs.
They can have a repertoire of up to 100 different syllables and their songs can last up to 10 minutes.
A male who can call a variety of sounds is more desirable to females. A large knowledge base of songs tells the female that the male has survived multiple breeding seasons. He’ll be the best option to raise her clutch successfully.
2. They can produce two sounds at the same time
Gray catbirds can produce two sounds at the same time. They can do this with the help of a special organ – the syrinx.
The syrinx is a unique vocal organ in birds, located at the base of the trachea. It is similar to the mammalian larynx, which is located at the top of the trachea.
The syrinx is a complex structure with multiple muscles and membranes. The gray catbird can independently control the two sides of the syrinx, allowing them to produce complex vocalizations.
The catbird can actively decide whether they want to produce sounds from just one side of the syrinx, or alternate between the two sides. A different sound can be created accordingly.
3. The gray catbird is named after its call
The gray catbird gets its name not only from the gray-colored plumage, but also the meowing calls it makes, similar to that of a cat.
The call is most often used for courting mates or defending their territories,
4. Forget big trees, the gray catbirds prefers shrubs and thickets
The gray catbird belongs to the genus Dumetella, which means “small thicket.”
This name stems from the type of habitat they like.
It’s unlikely you’ll find catbirds in old-growth forests. Instead, you’ll hear them rummaging around dense growth of shrubbery and small trees.
Within this vegetation, they forage and nest.
Female catbirds build big, deep nests in thick underbrush. Inside the nests are lined with fine, soft material including hair, grass and pine needles to cushion the eggs. Nests are usually about four feet off the ground.
5. They are able to counter brood parasitism
Brown-headed cowbirds are brood parasites. They lay their eggs in the nests of other birds.
While most birds go unaware of the intruder egg, gray catbirds are able to recognize the introduced eggs of cowbirds and eject them from their nests.
6. Gray catbirds are seasonal migrants
During the breeding season, which peaks from mid-May to mid-June, gray catbirds can be found throughout Canada and much of the United States.
In late August, summer migrants travel south towards southern U.S., Mexico and Central America.
The catbird spends the winter in warmer climates, choosing similar shrubby habitats.
However, some populations of catbirds, such as those found in the Atlantic seaboard around the Gulf States, do not migrate and remain in an area year-round.
7. Gray catbirds love fruit
Gray catbirds are omnivores.
In the summer, they will gorge on insects such as ants, beetles, caterpillars and moths.
However, they will also eat fruit when the opportunity arises. Holly berries, cherries, elderberries, poison ivy, greenbrier, bay, and blackberries are firm favorites.
But they are also opportunistic, and will raid gardens for any unattended fruits. In fact, they can become a garden pest to those trying to grow their own fruit such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
Leaving out fruit is a good way to attract catbirds to your backyard.
8. They can be long-lived
The oldest known Gray Catbird was nearly 18 years old when it was recaptured and re-released during a 2001 birdringing event in New Jersey. It had been banded in Maryland in 1984.
While this is impressive, their average life expectancy in the wild is just 2.5 years.
9. Human disturbance benefits gray catbirds
Human development is responsible for the population decline of many species.
But not the gray catbird.
Human disturbance and development often creates prime habitat for catbirds. Land clearing, road development, farmland and residential areas promote the growth of dense areas of shrubs, rather than large expanses of forests – perfect for the catbird.
Because of this, their numbers are stable and have an estimated global breeding population of around 29 million.
10. They can be territorial
During the mating and breeding months of spring and summer, only male gray catbirds are territorial.
He will find a prominent perch and sing to ward off any rivals. If any intruder gets too close to his branch, he’ll chase it away.
In the winter, both males and females defend their own territories – an unusual behavior for many species. This is to secure access to limited food resources and potentially to avoid competition.
If threatened, gray catbirds make themselves look bigger by fluffing up their breast and rump plumage and spreading their tail feathers.
11. The gray catbird takes nesting seriously
Catbirds are prolific nesters, often raising two broods per season.
Nesting catbirds do not like other species nearby. They are aggressive neighbors, often destroying eggs and killing chicks of other bird species, including vesper sparrow, song sparrow, and American robin.
12. Gray catbirds aren’t all gray
Despite their name, gray catbirds aren’t just gray.
Both sexes have a rufous patch of feathers hidden at the base of their tail.
During courtship displays, males have been observed showing off their chestnut plumage. The better quality these feathers are, the healthier the male.
A female will show off her patch if she accepts the male’s advances. Only then can copulation begin.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully by now you should know to never judge a book by its cover.
The same can be said for the gray catbird.
Despite its drab coloration, these common birds are quite extraordinary.
They are adaptable in the face of human disturbance, hardy when it comes to facing intruders and, above all, produce some of the most complex songs and calls.
