Gray Catbird or Brown-Headed Cowbird?

General appearance

The gray catbird, measuring 8-9 1/4 inches long, is about the size of a Robin. This species stands out for its slim frame, long tail which it often flips around expressively, broad wings, and a rounded, square-tipped tail. Its coloration is primarily gray, featuring a black cap and chestnut undertail coverts.

Male vs female

Both male and female gray catbirds share similar physical traits and coloration, making it difficult to distinguish between the two sexes based on appearance alone. Both genders exhibit smooth gray color all over, with a characteristic black cap and chestnut undertail coverts.

Juvenile

Juveniles, like adult Catbirds, are mostly gray but they may have a fuzzier appearance. Their tails may be shorter than their adult counterparts, and their plumage slightly duller. Black cap may be less visible in some individuals. As they mature, they will develop the distinctive black cap and chestnut undertail coverts of adults.

Primary habitat

The gray catbird favors dense low growth environments most commonly found in leafy thickets along woods and streams, suburban gardens, shrubby swamps, overgrown brushy fields, and garden hedges.

Additional range

Unexpectedly, it inhabits thorn scrub and undergrowth. It avoids unbroken forest and coniferous woods in all seasons.

Natural diet

The gray catbird's natural diet primarily consists of insects and berries. In early summer, it consumes various insects including beetles, ants, caterpillars, grasshoppers, crickets, true bugs, spiders, and millipedes. Nestlings are fed almost exclusively on insects, ensuring they get a protein-rich start. More than half of the adult catbird's diet is composed of vegetable matter, especially during the fall and winter seasons. During these times, the catbird feasts on a variety of wild berries and some cultivated fruits. This diet makes the gray catbird an important species for pest control as well as seed dispersal. Occasionally, they may catch small fish, but this is not a primary food source.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the gray catbird displays unconventional feeding habits, consuming a bizarre assortment of foods not typically associated with birds. Common feeder items they enjoy include doughnuts, cheese, boiled potato, and corn flakes. Their willingness to eat such diverse foods highlights their adaptability and varied dietary preferences when natural food sources are supplemented by human offerings.