Gray Catbird

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Dumetella carolinensis

DESCRIPTION

All Gray Catbirds, regardless of their age or gender, are mainly grey with black colouring on the tops of their heads and orange-brown underneath the base of their tail. Their calls are a raspy cat-like sound while their songs are highly variable and often melodic.

RANGE

Gray Catbirds can be found in all provinces. They migrate south to the southeastern United States and eastern portions of Mexico and Central America as well as the Caribbean.

HABITAT

Gray Catbirds nest and feed in dense shrubby areas in gardens, woods and hedgerows along farm fields. This led to their Latin name, “Dumetella” which loosely translates to “thicket-dweller”. Gray Catbirds also feed on the ground where there is dense vegetation as well as up in treetops.

DIET

Gray Catbirds eat a variety of insects including ants, grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars and moths. They also feed on small fruit like wild grapes, rosehips as well as berries from many bushes such as dogwoods, elderberries and viburnums.

BEHAVIOUR

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PRIMARY ECOSYSTEM ROLES

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