grey catbird

1. Bird Name
Commonly known as the Grey Catbird, its scientific name is Dumetella carolinensis.

2. Appearance
As suggested by its name, the Grey Catbird sports predominantly slate-grey plumage. It boasts a cap of darker grey-black on top of the head, along with a distinguishing black “mask” over the eyes and the sides of the head. Its underside is lighter grey, with a slight rust-brown hue beneath the tail. The bird’s slender bill, designed for omnivorous eating habits, is black. Both eyes are dark with no discernible color differentiation. An adult Catbird’s feathers feel soft to the touch, again enhancing its feline-like qualities. There are no significant differences in appearance between males and females.

3. Size
The average length of an adult Grey Catbird is around 21 to 23 cm (8.3 to 9.1 in). The wingspan measures about 22 to 30 cm (8.7 to 11.8 in). The bird typically weighs between 35 to 56 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution
The Grey Catbird is an American native, found from Southern Canada through to Eastern and Central United States, down into Mexico and the Caribbean. Their preferred habitat typically includes thickets, brushy areas, and edges of forests. They also adapt well to urban and suburban environments where sufficient shrubbery is present.

5. Interesting Facts
Some unique facts about the Grey Catbird include their ability to mimic the songs of other birds, frogs, or even mechanical sounds, earning them the nickname “mockingbirds”. They are also known for their cat-like “mew” sound, a trait that gave them their name. Additionally, they show an aggressive defense of their nesting territory, often dive-bombing intruders, including humans.

6. Diet
The Grey Catbird’s diet is quite diverse. It feasts on a variety of insects, spiders, small invertebrates, berries, fruits, and occasionally seeds. They are particularly fond of fruit and can often be found in fruit-bearing shrubs and trees.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Grey Catbirds are solitary birds but they can become quite sociable during migration seasons. They are well known for their diverse range of calls that include melodious songs, harsh alarm calls, and of course, the distinctive cat-like “mew” sounds. Their nesting style is rather unique, with nests constructed in dense shrubs, usually close to the ground.

8. Conservation Status
The Grey Catbird is currently classed as “Least Concern” according to the IUCN Red List. Despite their wide distribution, the population trend appears to be decreasing, though not at a rate that warrants immediate concern.

9. Lifespan
The average lifespan of a wild Grey Catbird is estimated to be between 2 and 3 years, though some individuals have been known to live up to 13 years. In captivity, they are known to live around 10-15 years.

10. Additional Notes
The Grey Catbird plays a crucial role in controlling insect populations thanks to its wide-ranging diet. Also, by consuming and distributing seeds through their droppings, they contribute to the spread of various plant species. In terms of human interaction, they are generally tolerant of human presence unless their nests are threatened, whereupon they become notably aggressive. Due to their wide geographical distribution, the Grey Catbird has accumulated various local names, including ‘gato de monte’ in Spain and ‘chat-gris’ in France.