This Gray Catbird has been making an appearance lately, but he certainly hasn’t been relaxed! Every time I’ve seen him so far he’s been in that “fight or flight” stance, which I’m pretty sure we can blame on the resident Mockingbirds – his not so friendly family members!
Usually, the Catbirds come for the fresh water, but occasionally they (like almost every other backyard bird) help themselves to a bit of Bark Butter.
Some find these fellows rather dull in their appearance, but I think they look elegant – as if they are all decked on in a charcoal tux. And besides, if you were to get a peek at their velvety red undergarments you would surely join me in finding them fancy.
These birds are the type that you usually hear their presence long before you see them; their call, a cross between a cat’s meow and a baby’s cry, is quite distinctive. Still, I guess they don’t want to be totally predictable, as they also do a mighty fine imitation of a croaking frog.
Although the Catbirds don’t show up on a daily basis, I always enjoy their presence when they do decide to stop by.
Backyard Bird Nerd 
Nice photos! What is bark butter?
Bark Butter is a suet type spread that is sold at Wild Birds Unlimited. It (along with peanuts) is the most popular food I put out. 🙂
Thank you! I have to check if they have internet shop that delivers to Latvia 🙂
Good luck with that! If not, you can always find “make it yourself” recipes on the internet. 🙂
Interesting and elegant little bird Kathy, but quite different in design to our Catbirds. Ours are related to Bowerbirds.
Let me know if you feature one in a post. 🙂
OK😊
Such a cool bird! I’ve only seen one once while visiting Georgia. Great pics!
I find them enjoyable. 🙂
They are regulars in our backyard, arriving first week of May, departing first week of Oct. I know this because of their noisy meowing & caterwauling early & late in the day from the depths of our thickest bushes & dark interior of our bamboo curtain. I hear them as soon as they return, & notice the silence when they have gone. Last year a catbird built her nest in the visible top of a holly bush by our front porch. She laid 3 beautiful turquoise eggs & hatched 3 wide open beak pink & grey downy babies. They only lived 3 days before they were snatched by the beady-eyed crows who easily spotted them from the overarching branches of our old sycamore. I hope this year she builds down in the deeper, darker inside of her chosen bush. She has not returned to the crime scene.
Oh – those Crows! My Mockingbirds have been on vigilant guard duty, protecting their little ones from these guys.
An elegant bird indeed. Wonderful shots!
Thanks!
I notice the catbirds make other birds go away.
They tend to have a reputation of not playing well with others!
When I see these birds, I always think they look like they have a toupee on! 😉 Great shots!
Hmmm…now that you mention it…I can see the toupee!
We have a few in my neighborhood. They are actually my favorite ‘songbird’. I really enjoy the odd sounds they make at times. Ours are usually a shade lighter(regional variance?)
The catbird, like the mockingbirds seem to stick around and ‘yell’ when we get the hawks out for the evening stroll/flight.
Some of ours are lighter too. And they do make a fun variety of sounds!
This is one I’m not familiar with!
Once again you delight me with your pictures.
Thank you Ma’am – that is my aim!
Decent photographs! What is bark butter?…Interesting and rich little winged creature Kathy, however very unique in configuration to our Catbirds…
Bark Butter is a suet type spread (the version I get is from Wild Birds Unlimited) that attracts a wide variety of birds. And now…I am heading over to check out your site!
I don’t think I have seen this bird here. Great pictures!
Wonderful shots – I have a special fondness for Gray Catbirds. Enjoyed them in New York and see even more now in Florida. They’re so lovely, but I always think they don’t get enough attention;-).
They do seem to get overlooked!
Happy to see you gave them special recognition here 😉
Wonderful post. Thank you