Mockingbirds, Catbirds, Thrashers

Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis

Family Mimidae (Mockingbirds, Catbirds, Thrashers)

Size: 8.5"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Understory of woodland edges, shrubs, rural gardens

The solitary gray catbird is long-necked and sleek with a sturdy, pointed bill. It is uniformly gray except for its rufous undertail coverts, black crown, and black, rounded tail. It is quite secretive and spends most of its time hidden in thickets close to the ground, picking through the substrate for insects, berries, and seeds. Its call includes a nasal, catlike meew, from which its name is derived, although it will also mimic the songs of other birds. To escape danger, it will often choose to run away rather than fly. The adult is illustrated.