After spending the winter months in Saint Somewhere, a pair of Catbirds has returned to my backyard for the spring and summer seasons.
Now some may find these birds to be a bit dull and drab, but I see them as simply having a more subtle beauty with their charcoal bodies, their black head stripes, and the obscure patch of rusty red beneath their tails.
The Catbird’s standard call sounds like a cross between the mew of a cat (hence the name) and the cry of a newborn baby. This bird is a mimic and copies the songs of other birds, often rearranging the notes and sounds to create something original. These birds also do a pretty mean tree frog imitation, as well as some mechanical noises; this afternoon I even heard one yipping like a little poodle.
Catbird’s definitely haven’t bought into the vegan trend. These guys do like fruits and berries, but most of their diet comes from spiders, ants and tasty insects. This pair (the male is slightly darker than the female) showed up to sample some Bark Butter that was spread on the back of the branches.
Although Catbird’s are typically rather shy and stay in the brush, they can become aggressive when defending their territory.
At times they are inquisitive and curious, which is part of the reason I find them endearing. They bright black eyes just seem to have a gleam in them.
I hope they show up and pose for lots of pictures in the days ahead, and I hope they have little Catbirds that they bring to the feeders too. 🙂
Backyard Bird Nerd 
Great bird the Catbird! I love these birds. Great photos!
Interesting post and beautifully sharp photos!
I’ve never been a fan of these guys but I may start looking at them differently now, thanks Kathy! Their little bodies have a grace and flow to them. I do love hearing a bird meow like a cat. You can’t buy entertainment like that! God is so amazing hehe!
I agree, God-made entertainment is the best. And do give the Catbirds another try…you’ll come to love them. 🙂
What a very handsome bird! I want to put a cat ear headband on his head.😻
Now that would be an interesting picture!
WOW WOW WOW
Summer memory: lying in a hammock with one of my cats and hearing the catbird talking to us VERY indignantly…not a happy camper.
I can picture that!
Not sure I am familiar with these fellas! 🙂 Thanks for sharing Kathy!
They’re really quite lovely.
I love the “meowing” call that catbirds have. There were both catbirds and mockingbirds at my last house and both were accomplished mimics but I remember from years ago reading somewhere (Peterson’s??) that while mockingbirds usually repeat a sound/call three times, the catbird does not repeat. Many’s the time I identified a loquacious rooftop silhouette as catbird or mockingbird using that method. 🙂
Yep – three for the mockingbirds, two for the thrashers, and one for the catbirds. 🙂
I didn’t know that about the thrashers… thanks! 🙂
Thanks for the info about these interesting birds. I’m going to watch and listen to see if we have any in this area.
I was not aware of this birds, Thanks Kathy for sharing with us 🙂
Beautiful photos, Kathy! I always think of my imaginary bird I created when I see these birds. 😉
Yes! I love your imaginary birds!
Saw my first catbirds of the year yesterday. I enjoy them too, and your photos are excellent.
I love listening to catbirds. Beautiful photos, Kathy!