Outdoor Cats are always a hot button issue. So, when is an appropriate time to allow a mewing resident in the garden? Well, when it is a Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), of course!
These charcoal-colored birds with the darker Mohawk stripe on their head will draw your attention with their call. Like mockingbirds they have a repertoire of sounds one of which sounds a little like a cat meowing. They are distantly related to the mockingbird.
Here in Florida they are non-breeding winter residents. I guess that they like it really warm and must stay further south, so central Florida is merely a migration area, based on my observations.
While I lived in New York, they frequently visited and I was under the assumption that they were called catbirds because when my kitty and I were out for our daily trot around the property they would dive-bomb her, showing no fear. My take was the common name indicated catbird because they attacked cats and the gray, well, just look at the photo for that reasoning. So much for what I know, it seems it was the call after all.
They like to hide amid denses shrubbery
I heard that familiar call the other day. Too fast for a photo op, but I looked up from last year and found they flew through in February, so they are just about on target time-wise as last year. A second encounter took place just yesterday with two catbirds flying low to the ground when I walked down the drive. They have a little red and white markings showing under that rump as they flit by. Hopefully they will stay just a bit longer so I can enjoy their presence. Ahh, these snowbirds, only fleeting joy for some of us.
They breed in most of the eastern third of the United States, except for the Deep South. They like dense shrubs for cover and nesting. They eat insects and fruit and at this time of year seem particularly drawn to my wax myrtles. They can be damaging to “cash crops”, so if you grow your own strawberries, raspberries and the like, you might want to put a net over them…the berries, not the birds…although that might work 
Since they seem to favor serviceberry, maybe try planting that as a distraction from your personal edibles. Other possibilities include the usual berry producers, elderberry, holly and the like.
All in all it is pleasant to hear them and they are rather attractive, so plan your garden to encourage catbirds and you just might see the population grow.
Central Florida Native Plant Sale, April 5th and 6th
© 2013, Loret T. Setters. All rights reserved. This article is the property of BeautifulWildlifeGarden.com If you are reading this at another site, please report that to us
About Loret T. Setters
Cute little, shiny button eyes and perky face! I haven’t seen any in zone 10 Florida.
Dawn Schneiderman recently posted..October Yields – A Veggie Preview
hmmm, not in zone 10 eh? and here I thought that they must be wintering further south than my zone 9b. I wonder where they hang out that I only see them for about two weeks in spring. This demands further research. I love a good mystery! thank!
Loret recently posted..Mountains in Florida?
We’ve got them scouring through the saw palmettos here in south Martin County from December – March. They LOVE the birdbath!
That’s about 100 or so miles south of me so I guess they start their journey north around Feb/March which is when I’ve seen them. I’ve got saw palmettos but I’ve mostly seen them in the wax myrtles which are close by. Come to think of it, I believe one “flushed” out of the palmettos the other day when the dog ran underneath. Thanks for stopping by and sharing to give me a little better understanding of these guys.
Loret, you wicked word-monger! You cannot believe how fast your title jolted me awake this morning, and got my fingers flying to “enter” on it. Well and truly laughing out loud now, and thanks for such a merry beginning to the day!
“wicked word-monger” I LIKE that title
Glad I could oblige Sue, I’m trying to help you keep your caffeine intake down
Loret recently posted..Mountains in Florida?
I love the catbirds that visit…we get lots of them because of the natural area behind us with its dense shrubs…they are not keen on being in the garden when we are out so hard to get pictures of them.
Donna Donabella recently posted..Gardens Eye Journal-March 2013
Hi Donna!
They did seem illusive which I why I didn’t get any pictures this week. I am going to try “pishing” next I see them. The Cornell website said that they might respond to you if you make a pishing sound. I’ve been practicing!
pish pish pish….I sound like a water spout
Loret recently posted..Mountains in Florida?
Ha! Catchy title
My first thought was that your article would be about caterpillars… Great post, info and photos!
Rebecca recently posted..DIY Burlap Thistle Sock
Thanks Rebecca! You have a clever thought there as well, but I’m happy that I tricked you hehehe.
I was all set to read another outdoor cat debate, and was pleasantly surprised. Great post!
Hi Ernie!
I’m glad it was a nice surprise and not a disappointment. Thanks for the compliment and for stopping by
Oh my, it really does sound like a cat! I played the sound clip and my dog instantly put on her concerned face, “Is kitty okay?” Thanks for the share, Loret.
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