Catbirds are a type of bird found primarily in the eastern and central United States. They get their name from their cat-like meowing call. Catbirds are medium-sized songbirds with slate gray plumage and a black cap and tail. They are members of the mimid family, which also includes mockingbirds and thrashers. Catbirds are most common in shrubby, brushy habitats. They build nests low in bushes and lay 3-4 eggs at a time. Catbirds are omnivorous, eating insects, fruits, and berries. They often visit bird feeders as well.
Quick Facts
Here are some quick facts about catbirds:
- Scientific name: Dumetella carolinensis
- Length: 8-9 inches
- Wingspan: 10-12 inches
- Weight: 1.5-2 ounces
- Lifespan: Up to 10 years
- Diet: Insects, spiders, snails, fruits, berries
- Range: Eastern and central United States
- Habitat: Shrubs, thickets, forest edges
- Nesting: Low bushes, 2-6 feet off the ground
- Eggs: Pale blue, 3-4 per clutch
- Conservation status: Least concern
Range and Distribution
The breeding range of catbirds extends across much of the eastern and central United States. They are found from southern New England west to the Great Plains states and south to the Gulf Coast. The core of their range centers around the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. Catbirds migrate south to spend the winter primarily in the southeastern states, including all of Florida, and south to Panama. They are rare vagrants to western North America.
Within their range, catbirds inhabit thick, brushy habitats with dense low vegetation. This includes forest and woodland edges, shrublands, overgrown fields, hedgerows, and gardens. They are frequently found in riparian areas along streamsides as well. Catbirds prefer habitats with a well-developed understory layer and avoid open or exposed areas.
Range Map
Here is a map showing the breeding and wintering range of the catbird across North America:
Image source: All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Habits and Behaviors
Catbirds are shy, secretive birds named for their cat-like meowing calls. They have a variety of vocalizations beyond their classic “mew” call, including musical warbling songs, raspy squawks, and mimicry of other species. Catbirds are solitary nesters, establishing breeding territories that they defend aggressively from intruders. They build a bulky nest of twigs, bark, and grasses in a dense shrub or thicket and typically lay 3-4 eggs. The female incubates the eggs for 12-13 days until they hatch.
Catbirds are omnivorous and have a varied diet including insects, spiders, snails, fruits, and berries. They often visit bird feeders as well for seeds and suet. Catbirds forage by hopping along on the ground or in low vegetation. They may follow ants to pick off insects they flush. Catbirds are wary birds but can become habituated to human presence.
Interesting Behaviors
- Mimicry – Catbirds can mimic the calls of over 20 other bird species.
- Nest defense – Catbirds may build dummy nests to distract predators from their real nest.
- Migration – Some catbirds migrate south in leapfrog fashion, skipping over certain areas.
Identification
With their distinctive black cap and tail, catbirds are unlikely to be confused with other species. They are a medium-sized mimid measuring 8-9 inches in length with a wingspan of 10-12 inches. They have a long tail that is frequently cocked upright. Adult catbirds have slate gray upperparts and wings, a black cap and tail, and a gray underside. Their eyes are black and beak is black as well. Juvenile catbirds are browner overall until they molt their first set of feathers.
Field Marks
- Medium size with long tail often held cocked up
- All-gray plumage with black cap and tail
- Forages on ground or in low vegetation
- Frequently cocks tail while hopping along
- Distinctive “mew” vocalizations
Similar Species
The catbird’s distinctive appearance makes confusion with other species unlikely. The only two birds with similar black caps are:
- Yellow-breasted chat – Larger with white spectacles around eyes and yellow underside
- Hooded warbler – Smaller with yellow face and belly
| Species | Size | Distinguishing Features |
|---|---|---|
| Catbird | 8-9 in. | All gray with black cap and tail |
| Yellow-breasted chat | 7.5-8.5 in. | White spectacles, yellow underside |
| Hooded warbler | 5-5.5 in. | Yellow face and belly |
This table compares size and features of catbirds and similar black-capped species.
Habitat
Catbirds breed in a variety of scrubby, brushy habitats, typically early successional environments. Their ideal breeding grounds have dense low growth for nesting cover but scattered taller vegetation and open patches. Typical habitats include:
- Shrublands
- Overgrown fields
- Hedgerows
- Forest edges
- Thickets along streams and swamps
- Parks and gardens with dense shrubbery
The key requirements are dense low cover for nesting and roosting sites and somewhat open areas nearby for foraging. Catbirds may also inhabit regenerating clearcuts, powerline corridors, and areas of selective logging. They generally avoid extensively open terrain.
Territory and Nest Site
Male catbirds establish breeding territories 1-5 acres in size which they defend against intrusion by other males. Within their territory, they choose a nest site in a dense shrub or small tree 2-10 feet above ground, typically around 5 feet high. Favored nest sites provide good cover overhead and on the sides. Catbirds may build dummy nests in their territory before constructing the final nest.
Diet
Catbirds are omnivorous and eat a wide variety of plant and animal matter. Their diverse diet includes:
- Insects – beetles, moths, caterpillars, crickets
- Spiders
- Snails
- Berries – blackberries, blueberries, wild cherries, etc.
- Fruits – grapes, currants, elderberries
- Seeds and grain
Catbirds forage primarily on the ground or in low vegetation. They scratch and shuffle through leaf litter searching for insects and other prey. They may follow ant swarms to catch insects flushed by the ants. Catbirds are also common visitors to bird feeders, especially in winter, where they eat sunflower seeds, suet, mealworms, and peanut butter.
Feeding Behavior
When foraging, catbirds exhibit some interesting behaviors:
- Hop along the ground while frequently cocking tail
- Use feet to scatter leaves and probe soil for food
- May follow army ants to catch insects
- Sometimes hammer snails against a perch to crack shell
- Frequently visits bird feeders and platform feeders
| Month | % Insects | % Fruit | % Seeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15% | 5% | 80% |
| May | 65% | 30% | 5% |
| September | 40% | 55% | 5% |
This table shows how the diet composition of catbirds changes through the year.
Migration
Catbirds are migratory over most of their range. They breed during the summer across the eastern and central United States and winter in the southeastern states, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Some key aspects of their migration include:
- Spring migration runs from March to May.
- Fall migration is August through November.
- Some catbirds exhibit leapfrog migration, skipping certain areas.
- They often migrate at night with other songbirds.
- Stopover habitat includes forests, woodlands, and shrubby wetlands.
The timing of migration depends on latitude, elevation, and weather conditions each year. Catbirds are among the earlier spring migrants, arriving on breeding grounds by mid-April in southern states to late May in Canada. Males tend to arrive before females. In fall, most catbirds leave the northern states by October.
Migration Map
This map shows the migration routes of catbirds between their breeding and wintering grounds:
Image source: The Birds of North America, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Conservation Status
Catbirds have an extensive breeding range across eastern and central North America and a large global population estimated at over 10 million birds. Partners in Flight estimates a breeding population of 12 million. According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, catbirds showed a survey-wide population increase of 0.81% annually from 1966 to 2015. Their population appears to be increasing and expanding northward. As a result, catbirds are classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Threats
Potential threats to catbirds include:
- Habitat loss of shrublands and successional habitat
- Brood parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds
- Predation by outdoor cats
- Collisions with towers and buildings during migration
However, catbird populations remain healthy across most of their range. They are common to abundant in suitable brushy habitat and have adapted to using human-altered environments. With their extensive range and growing population, catbirds are not considered a conservation concern at this time.
Where to See in Connecticut
Catbirds are very common summer residents across Connecticut from mid-May through October. Here are some good places in Connecticut to look for them:
- Webb Mountain Discovery Zone, Monroe
- Whitaker Woods, New Britain
- Pease Brook Wildlife Management Area, Lebanon
- Babcock Pond Wildlife Management Area, Colchester
- Nathan Hale State Forest, Coventry
- Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport
Catbirds inhabit overgrown fields, thickets, hedgerows, forest edges, and parks throughout the state. They are often found along the edges of woodland trails. Listen for their distinctive “mew” calls and follow the sound to track them down. They may visit backyard feeders as well.
Tips for Attracting
To attract catbirds to your backyard:
- Plant native shrubs and thickets
- Allow some overgrown vegetation
- Provide fruiting trees/shrubs like blackberry, dogwood, cherry
- Supply feeding station with suet, mealworms, sunflower seeds
- Set out shallow water source
Fun Facts
- The brown thrasher is the catbird’s closest relative.
- Catbirds got their name from their cat-like “mew” call.
- They are excellent mimics, able to copy the songs of over 20 species.
- Catbirds sometimes build dummy nests that they later abandon.
- They have been known to imitate mechanical sounds like cameras or alarms.
- Catbirds are the only species in the genus Dumetella.
- They have special feathers above their nostrils to help filter dust while probing for food.
Conclusion
In summary, the gray catbird is a common and familiar backyard bird of shrublands and thickets across the eastern United States. Named for their cat-like vocalizations, catbirds are shy but can be coaxed into view with patience and the right habitat. They migrate south for the winter but return each spring to breed in dense, brushy habitat. With their extensive range and growing numbers, catbirds are in no conservation danger and can be readily enjoyed by birdwatchers across their range.
