Gray Catbird in a willow thicket

Gray Catbird Images, Facts and Information:

Dumetella carolinensis

  • Gray Catbirds are medium sized, slender birds that are mostly gray with a black cap and they have a rusty color under their tails.
  • Gray Catbirds are migratory in most of their range but some Atlantic coast populations are year round residents.
  • Gray Catbirds prefer shrubby habitats, areas with low dense vines or vegetation at the edges of forests, thickets, hedgerows, marshes or riparian areas.
  • Gray Catbirds feed primarily on insects and spiders, they also eat fruits, berries and seeds.
  • Gray Catbirds lay 2 to 6 eggs which hatch in 12 to 13 days. The females incubate and they are monogamous.
  • A group of catbirds can be called a “mewing” of catbirds.
  • The oldest known catbird was nearly 18 years old when it died.

I hope you enjoy viewing my Gray Catbird photos.