Consider the gray catbird: the tropical long-distance migrant that may well be nesting in your backyard this summer. To determine whether the birds treated the simulated predator as a threat, we also tested them with a hexagon-shaped model and with no model. This layer of small trees and bushes, below the level of the taller trees in a forest, offers protection from predators and provides abundant food. The gray catbird lays 3 to 6 eggs that are glossy blue green in color. Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis. The Gray Catbird is not as gifted a mimic as the Northern Mockingbird. CAPTION: The catbird is a gray bird with a black cap and an almost black tail.

The song is long and varied, and it incorporates the songs of other species. However, they are one of the few bird species that is able to learn to recognize cowbird eggs, and to eject them from the nest. Description of the Catbird. They are about eight or nine inches long, and their wingspan is under a foot across. Brown-headed cowbirds are nest parasites that often lay their eggs in gray catbird nests. Their plumage is soft gray, the tops of their heads are darker gray, and the undersides of their tails are rusty red. They don’t like to fly over wide or open spaces. See the arrows in this painting by Roger Tory Peterson in his "Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America". Notes.

Grey Catbird responds aggressively towards predators, flashing their wings and tail, and calling. They may attack and peck at predator near the nest. The brown thrasher, considered the champion mimic, can sing up to 2,000 different songs. The recommended dimensions for a catbird platform are: 6” x 8” (floor), 8” (distance from floor to roof), 3’ to 10’ (mount height). Gray catbird–Dumatella carolinensis (Photos by Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org) There comes a time in life for every bird to spread its wings and leave the nest, but for gray catbirds, that might be the beginning of the end. The call of the Gray Catbird sounds like a cat's meow. Let’s take a closer look. Perhaps "gray" sounds drab when identifying birds in the yard, but the plumage is surprisingly lovely. Most Grays weigh between one and two ounces. The female may sing the quiet song back to the male. The large difference in The birds remained motionless longer with the hawk … Gray catbird nests are often parasitized by brown-headed cowbirds. Our most common mostly gray-colored yard bird is the Tufted Titmouse. The Gray Catbird’s long song may last for up to 10 minutes. logical Station, Kansas, we videotaped a gray catbird that broke and consumed at least 1 egg in a brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) nest. Gray catbirds also provide food for their predators. Our observation was consistent with egg predation because the catbird consumed the contents of the damaged egg after breaking it.

This is not true of the catbird, who responds to predators in an aggressive manner. Many birds will panic at the sight of a predator, such as a cat, hawk, owl or snake. The researchers believe this study suggests domestic cats have a disproportionate impact on the survivability of Gray Catbirds. Catbirds may attack and peck at predators near the nest. Catbirds sound like an animal who is killing a lot of them. Catbirds communicate through visual means, using their head and feathers, and their songs and calls. Learn more about the gray catbird. Even when brown-headed cowbird eggs are not ejected, brown-headed cowbird chicks rarely survive to fledge from gray catbird nests. Gray catbird is a member of the mimid family. The Catbird is named for its cat-like meow call, which is given when predators are present and during aggressive encounters between birds.The Catbird's song is a long series of many phrases including imitations of other birds. Right now, the BIGGEST of these drone-like insects, called “Darners” (after the large needles), are hatching out of the ponds and patrolling the fields of Bear Creek.

Gray catbirds are common, so you may not pay them much attention. Catbirds are one of the great characters of the bird world. While the catbird is an excellent singer, it sometimes makes a cat-like mewing sound. Researchers note that cryptic (rats) or nocturnal predators could not be reasonably accounted for and may also pose statistically significant threat to Gray Catbird juvenile survivability.