Dumetella carolinensis
adult
The Gray Catbird is a distinctive long-tailed songbird. The sexes are similar, and adults and juveniles are alike. All birds have deep blue-gray body plumage but with a black cap, and dark wings and tail. The brick-red undertail is diagnostic. The eye, legs, and bill are dark.
The Gray Catbird is present as a breeding species mainly from May to August across much of eastern and north-central North America. In fall, birds migrate south and the species’ winter range extends from coastal southeast U.S.A. to Mexico and the Caribbean generally. It is notoriously secretive and skulking, usually keeping to the cover of dense undergrowth, where it forages in leaf litter. The tail is often cocked up.
adult
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 8.5 in (21.5 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates and berries
HABITAT Dense woodland and scrub
STATUS Widespread and common summer visitor; local winter visitor
VOICE Song is a series of chattering squawks and whistles, often with some mimicry; the phrases are not repeated. Call is a cat-like meow
