Grey Catbird

The gray catbird, sometimes spelled "grey catbird" is a medium-sized bird native to North and Central America. It belongs to the mimid family and is the sole member of its genus, Dumetella. You might also hear it referred to as the slate-colored mockingbird. The name Dumetella derives from the Latin word "dūmus" meaning "thorny thicket" alluding to the bird's habit of singing from dense undergrowth. Carl Linnaeus first described this species in 1766.

The gray catbird has an intriguing history regarding its scientific classification, with its genus name changing several times before settling on Dumetella. These birds are predominantly gray, with darker heads and rust-colored feathers under their tails. Juveniles have a more subdued appearance, with buff-colored undertail feathers.

Their diet consists of approximately equal parts fruits and berries, and insects such as mealworms, earthworms, and beetles. Thanks to their well-developed syrinx, gray catbirds can mimic the songs of other birds and even some mechanical noises.

These birds inhabit temperate regions of North America and migrate to warmer areas such as the southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean for the winter. They prefer semi-open spaces with abundant shrubs and are frequently seen in both urban and suburban environments. Gray catbirds build cup-shaped nests in low shrubs or trees and lay light blue eggs.

While the gray catbird is not considered threatened and is generally common, its population has declined in certain areas due to deforestation and nest predation by non-native species. In the U.S., the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 protects the gray catbird.