Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
 
Status in the Checklist Area - Rare*
      
 
Information

A member of the Mimic Thrush family along with mockingbirds and thrashers. Rare in our checklist area but is almost an annual breeder. Most common in the interior of the Province. After breeding, migrates south to Central America. Gray Catbirds are often found in thickets and dense shrubs usually near water. Can be difficult to see as they like to remain hidden but singing males will often sing from a conspicuous perch. Gray Catbirds can and do make a 'meowing' sound very similar to a cat.

Earliest record: 10 May 2004
Latest record: 04 September 2008

Similar species:
Not liable to be confused with other bird species given the unique overall gray colour, black cap and reddish undertail coverts.

Sources:
Ehrlich, Dobkin and Wheye, (1988)
     
Noteworthy Data
 
Date
Location
Sources
Comments
23-Aug-09 Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve, Chilliwack B & J Clayton First record for park.
17-Jul-09 Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park, Popkum G. Gadsden Two adults feeding at least two fairly newly fledged young.
25-May-09 Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park, Popkum K. Jones Male singing at parking lot. Seen daily. "Cheam Lake - Catbird"
04-Sep-08 Maria Slough, Agassiz M. Brown Lone bird. "Re: September Bird List"
04-Sep-08 Island 22, Chilliwack G. Gadsden 1 bird in equestrian area. "Island 22 Sept 4"
30-Aug-08 Maria Slough, Agassiz M. Brown One adult and one newly fledged juvenile. "Catbird Breeding Confirmed" Posted Sept 1, 2008.
13-Aug-08 Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park, Popkum G. Gadsden Two adults, two juveniles near parking lot. "Grey Catbird Cheam Lake"
10-Aug-08 Maria Slough, Agassiz M. Brown One and possibly two. "Grey Catbird"
17-Jun-08 Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park, Popkum G. Gadsden Singing at parking lot. "Grey Catbird Cheam Lake"
20-Aug-07 Maria Slough, Agassiz M. Brown One juvenile "Migration"
11-Jul-04 Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park, Popkum G. Gadsden Pair feeding recently fledged young near parking lot. First confirmed breeding record despite singing male in 2001 and 2003
18-Aug-00 Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park, Popkum G. Gadsden Scolding on Loop Trail. First record for park.
 
Photographs
           
               
                   
                   
                   
Audio and Video    
None available
 

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