Catbird

by Dan D

Gray Catbird

Gray Catbird

The Catbird is a medium-sized Northern American perching bird and is named for its cat-like call.

Catbirds give the impression of being entirely slate gray, but on closer observation you will see see that these birds have a small black cap, blackish tail, and a brown patch under the tail.

Ontario CatbirdIt also mimics the songs of other birds, as well as those of tree frogs.

They are quite secretive, shy birds and often are heard, but seldom seen.

I have seen several Catbirds in small trees and shrubs and they are seen frequently in vines, the edges of forests, fields, and fencerows.

Great picture, Dan Demczuk- we have some here where we live, often hear them, but don't often see them. Fabulous picture, by the way!

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Hard to spot but wonderful bird
by: PatD

One of my favorite birds. We frequently caught and banded them using mist nets in the 80’s when I was working for Ontario MNR. Outside of that I could very rarely manage to spot them.

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Spring 2022
by: Anonymous

I have a pair of Catbirds here this year in Springwater township. Definitely here to have a family rather than passing through.

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Cat birds in backyard
by: Anonymous

We have had a pair on our suet feeder. They’ve been hanging around for a week. We live in Sarnia. They’ve come to the feeder while we’re sitting out side within 15 feet!
I have never heard or seen them in our area. Very cool!

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Beautiful pair of Catbirds
by: Jo-Anne

I just had a pair bathing in my birdbath in Ottawa. First time I've seen them.

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Catbird sightings
by: Anonymous

I often hear Catbirds and can usually encourage them to sing along or mimic my whistles and fake bird sounds in a Park on Lakeshore Rd, Bronte. But yesterday I caught one enjoying a big, wet bath in our backyard bird bath. He was back again today and sat in full view for a few minutes on our fence burbling some sweet notes. We have grape jelly out for the Orioles so maybe that attracts him/her. They are an elegant bird.

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Made my day!
by: Anonymous

I'm 60yrs old and just saw my first 2 Catbirds ever, about 5 minutes ago ... so awesome. I live near Niagara Falls, Canada.

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Catbird in Oshawa
by: Jason L

Saw this bird on the fence in our backyard in Oshawa and it was making a weird noise I never heard before. It does sound like a cat meowing a bit. It landed about 10 feet from me, picked something up and flew away.

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Seen in Waterloo
by: Matt

I had a catbird nesting in a bush beside my deck for 2 or 3 summers. It was suite the 'chatty' bird and very inquisitive towards my presence :P

https://imgur.com/BCh9jhC

https://imgur.com/DWMgbhc

https://imgur.com/zbBVidS

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Saw one Today
by: Debbie DeCooman

Today beside the bush, sitting in the brush eating Meadowsweet blossoms, nice looking bird, Smokey grey with black head cap and tail.

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Catbird
by: Anonymous

We live in Oshawa Ontario and have had Catbirds coming to the grape jelly feeder daily. We’ve never seen them
Before

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Cat birds
by: Anonymous

I saw two Catbirds in my maple tree early this morning. I live in Russell, Ontario. I have not ever seen them before.

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Gray Catbird - Waterloo, Ontario
by: Linda

My husband and I were out walking some trails and heard a kitten mewing. I tried to find it thinking it was lost, mewing back to it. It kept mewing to me. Finally my husband looked up in a small tree and there was this gray bird. We later looked it up in our Peterson Field Guide to Birds, and it was a Gray Catbird! First time seeing one for both of us!

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First time
by: Anonymous

I had one on the grass yesterday in Russell, Ontario. My first time ever seeing one. Pretty bird.

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Catbird in Amherstburg, Ontario
by: Nicole

This bird does not even show up in my Birding book ... but I got a photo of it!

It may be listed as a Grey Catbird in the bird book.

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Yearly Visitor
by: Veronica

I live in Foxboro,Ontario. I had never seen a catbird before I moved here. I had to look up its information on the internet. There is one catbird, (I think it is the same bird) that comes around every year. It usually stays in the thicket near my house and makes cat sounds. This year, I first saw it when it came pecking on my bedroom window at about 6 am. It sits on the window sill and makes a racket! My husband has built a contraption with screen material to stop it. However, it goes all around the house in the daytime and pecks at the windows.

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Grey Catbird
by: Anonymous

I just saw one of these for the first time, in Windsor Ontario. Absolutely striking in appearance.

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I have Catbirds as well!
by: Smilelysquirrel

I live in Cannington, Ontario, and I have three that come every evening. They are very shy, but beautiful to look at.

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Gray Cat Bird
by: Juniper

This summer I have Gray Cat Birds coming to my jelly feeder. Never had them before but they are definitely staying around. I live just outside of Owen Sound, Ontario.

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