Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)

Three species of mimids are found in NC: Brown Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, and Gray Catbird. All sound similar, but are easily distinguished. Thrashers generally repeat phrases twice, then move on to the next phrase. Mockingbirds repeat phrases 3-7 times before moving on to the next phrase, while catbirds do not generally repeat phrases back to back.

Gray Catbirds breed statewide, but are generally only found along the coast in the winter.


Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
Dare Co., NC
24 May 2006

Note the deep chestnut color in the vent region.

Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
Durham Co., NC
14 May 2008

Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
Ten Thousand Islands NWR, Collier Co., FL
4 Feb 2015
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
Ten Thousand Islands NWR, Collier Co., FL
4 Feb 2015
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
Missoula Co., MT
28 May 2014
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
Missoula Co., MT
28 May 2014
Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
Missoula Co., MT
28 May 2014

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Created on ... February 20, 2007 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com