Gray Catbird

A common bird you may see on a walk through the Native Habitat Garden or to South Lookout this time of year is the Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis). These lively songsters are curious and full of personality, often venturing to low hanging branches or bushes to peek at visitors. They are members of the family Mimidae, songbirds that are known to copy the sounds of other species. Their own call is a cat-like mew which is very easily recognizable, along with their complex song that may last as long as 10 minutes. Both male and female gray catbirds are dusty gray with solid black caps, dark tails, and rufous undertail coverts. 

Photo by Isabella Di Donato.