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Gray Catbird

Dumetella carolinensisOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Mockingbirds and Thrashers (Mimidae)

Breeding Location:

Forest edge, Bushes, shrubs, and thickets



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester



Breeding Population:



Egg Color:

Dark blue green



Number of Eggs:

2 - 6



Incubation Days:

12 - 13



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Lined with fine material., Grasses., Twigs



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Gray Catbird: Small, shy, dark gray mockingbird with black cap and red-brown undertail coverts. The bill, legs, and feet are black. Forages on ground, shrubs and branches. Feeds mostly on insects and their larvae, spiders, berries and fruits. Swift direct flight on rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Gray Catbird: Breeds from southern Canada to central New Mexico and the Gulf states and in Bermuda. Most spend winters in the southeastern U.S., Panama, and the West Indies, but some winter north to Minnesota and southeastern Canada. Prefers low, dense vegetation or vine tangles at the edges of forests, marshes, and streams; does not occur in forest interiors. Suburban landscapes often contain good habitat for this species.

Breeding and Nesting

Gray Catbird: Two to six dark blue green eggs are laid in a nest made of twigs and grass, lined with finer materials, and built in a dense shrub or low tree. Incubation ranges from 12 to 13 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Gray Catbird: Feeds mostly on insects such as beetles, caterpillars, cicadas, crickets, grasshoppers, moths, ants, and aphids; also eats spiders, fruits, berries, and seeds; forages on the ground or in shrubs and low trees.

Readily Eats

Suet, Sunflower Seed, Nuts

Vocalization

Gray Catbird: Song is a cat-like meow; often sings at night. Call is a quiet "mew" or harsh "quit" or "chack"; imitates calls of jays, kingfishers, swallows, grosbeaks, and other songbirds.

Similar Species

Gray Catbird: None in range.

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Family Mockingbirds and Thrashers (Mimidae)_blue
Species Dumetella carolinensis
Length8.5 - 9 Inches
Wingspan11.5 Inches

Gray Catbird

Gray Catbird: Small, shy, dark gray mockingbird with black cap and red-brown undertail coverts. The bill, legs, and feet are black. Forages on ground, shrubs and branches. Feeds mostly on insects and their larvae, spiders, berries and fruits. Swift direct flight on rapid wing beats.

● Song: "mew", "mew", "chack"

● Foraging & Feeding: Gray Catbird: Feeds mostly on insects such as beetles, caterpillars, cicadas, crickets, grasshoppers, moths, ants, and aphids; also eats spiders, fruits, berries, and seeds; forages on the ground or in shrubs and low trees.

● Breeding & nesting: Gray Catbird: Two to six dark blue green eggs are laid in a nest made of twigs and grass, lined with finer materials, and built in a dense shrub or low tree. Incubation ranges from 12 to 13 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Gray Catbird: None in range.

Flight Pattern

Swift flight on series of rapidly beating wings., Alternates several rapid wing beats with wings pulled to sides.
Gray Catbird Breeding Adult Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Gray Catbird: Breeds from southern Canada to central New Mexico and the Gulf states and in Bermuda. Most spend winters in the southeastern U.S., Panama, and the West Indies, but some winter north to Minnesota and southeastern Canada. Prefers low, dense vegetation or vine tangles at the edges of forests, marshes, and streams; does not occur in forest interiors. Suburban landscapes often contain good habitat for this species.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
Population
MigrationMigratory
Weight1.3 Ounces