Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis

1/800s at f6.3, ISO:6400, Canon EOS-1D X w/800mm


The gray catbird , also spelled grey catbird is a medium-sized northern American perching bird of the mimid family. This species is named for its cat-like call. Like many members of the Mimidae (most famously mockingbirds), it also mimics the songs of other birds, as well as those of Hylidae (tree frogs), and even mechanical sounds. Because of its well-developed songbird syrinx, it is able to make two sounds at the same time. The alarm call resembles the quiet calls of a male mallard. Their breeding habitat is semi-open areas with dense, low growth; they are also found in urban, suburban, and rural habitats. These birds mainly forage on the ground in leaf litter, but also in shrubs and trees. They mainly eat arthropods and berries. They build a bulky cup nest in a shrub or tree, close to the ground. Eggs are light blue in color, and clutch size ranges from 1 to 5, with 2 to 3 eggs most common. Both parents take turns feeding the young birds.
Medicine Creek, NE
 
05/22/2015