(Immature and flight pictures. Minor tidy-up. References) |
(→Taxonomy: Update link) |
||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
From [[Carolinas]] and Gulf Coast southward, small numbers occur regularly to southern [[New England]]. | From [[Carolinas]] and Gulf Coast southward, small numbers occur regularly to southern [[New England]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | This is a [[Dictionary_M- | + | This is a [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>. |
Formerly known "Catbird," this bird has had its name changed officially to Gray Catbird because there is an all-black species, the [[Black Catbird]] in southern [[Mexico]]. | Formerly known "Catbird," this bird has had its name changed officially to Gray Catbird because there is an all-black species, the [[Black Catbird]] in southern [[Mexico]]. | ||
| + | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
[[Image:42923catbird 3.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Photo by {{user|padmartin|padmartin}}<br />[[Virginia]], [[USA]], July 2006]] | [[Image:42923catbird 3.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Photo by {{user|padmartin|padmartin}}<br />[[Virginia]], [[USA]], July 2006]] | ||
Revision as of 23:00, 12 July 2014
- Dumetella carolinensis
Identification
21-24 cm
Smaller than American Robin
- Dark gray
- Black cap
- Rusty undertail coverts
- Slender, long-tailed
Distribution
Breeding
North America: from British Columbia, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia south to Washington, Texas, and Georgia.
Non-breeding
From Carolinas and Gulf Coast southward, small numbers occur regularly to southern New England.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Formerly known "Catbird," this bird has had its name changed officially to Gray Catbird because there is an all-black species, the Black Catbird in southern Mexico.
Habitat
Thickets and brush, residential areas and gardens.
Behaviour
A ground feeder, turning the leaf litter over with the beak
Breeding
The bulky nest is hidden in bushes or vines. Four or five shiny blue-green eggs are laid
Diet
Consists of insects and fallen berries
Vocalisation
Song: A long, irregular succession of musical and mechanical notes and phrases. Sometimes seems to mimic other birds.
Call:
- Cat-like mewing
- Ratchett call when alarmed
- Soft whip and chip given at nest between pairs.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved May 2014)
- eNature
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Gray Catbird. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 24 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Gray_Catbird
