Birds of Arlington - Gray Catbird

Birds of Arlington

Gray Catbird

(Dumetella carolinensis)

Adult, Genders Alike

Present: Summer & Migration

Visual Identification

Where and When to see them

Visual Identification

Gray Catbirds are about the size of a robin. They have a slender black bill and dark pink or gray/black legs. Gray Catbirds are true to their name and are almost completely gray, the exceptions are the rufous undertail coverts and their black cap and tail. Sometimes their face, flanks, throat , breast, and belly are a lighter gray.

Voice

Gray Catbirds most commonly emit cat-like mewing noises. They will also mimic other birds in a long jumble of noises, usually sung while perching in dense vegetation.

Habitat

Gray Catbirds prefer brushy forests. This includes brushy riparian forests, brushy mature forest, stream side forest, willow thickets, brushy forest edge, brushy open forest and brushy scrubland (usually with wild raspberry bushes or pokeweed). They also are common jelly feeder visitors in suburbia.

Behavior

Gray Catbirds are very aggressive birds, and will scare other birds off their territory fiercely. They wing puff themselves up and chase the other away. They relish berries and, surprisingly, grape jelly. They will visit jelly feeders frequently if the feeder has been found. Gray Catbirds frequently cock their tails.

Comparisons

Male Eastern Towhee

Male Eastern Towhees might be mistaken for a catbird for their dense brushy habitat and size, but note that they are much darker and have a rufous stripe, a different bill shape, different song, and possess different feeding behaviors.

Northern Mockingbird

Northern Mockingbirds might look like a catbird, but note that they have a white secondarie patch when flying, are much lighter and possess and eye-line/stripe. They also have a tail pattern like that of a gnatcatchers.

Where and When to see them

Gray Catbirds are abundant, and there is no best viewing spot. They are particularly abundant in June and July at the entrance of Glencarlyn Park after coming down South Park Drive. They also dominate the brushy areas near the Long Branch nature center.

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