Gray Catbird Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesGray Catbird
Adult
Medium-sized thrushlike songbird with a long tail. Gray overall with a darker cap and cinnamon undertail coverts.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, September 18, 2014Adult
Often perches holding its tail down giving it a hunchbacked look. Mimics the songs of other birds and sings at all hours of the day.
© Steven Guertin / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, May 21, 2017Adult
Sings a collection of gurgles, whistles, and parts of other birds songs from the tops of trees and bushes. Often holds its tail down while perched, giving it a humpbacked look.
© Marie Read / Macaulay LibraryJuly 11, 2010Adult
A distinctive species and the only member of its genus (Dumetella).
© Paul Jones / Macaulay LibraryOntario, November 18, 2020Adult
Long-tailed thrushlike bird. Gray overall with a darker cap and cinnamon under the tail.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, September 18, 2014Adult
Forages on the ground as well as trees and shrubs where it searches for a variety of insects and fruits.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 19, 2010Adult
Often secretive, but can be bold at times.
© Rick Beaudon / Macaulay LibraryOntario, May 11, 2017Adult
Found in dense shrubs, vine tangles, and thickets of young trees in both summer and winter.
© Marcie Jacklin / Macaulay LibraryOntario, October 17, 2017Adult
Uses its bill to move leaves and twigs out of the way to uncover insects. Forages on the ground or in trees and shrubs, often in dense cover.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryOhio, May 01, 1997Adult
Catbirds build a bulky cup nest with grasses, twigs, and bark often hidden at the center of dense shrubs, small trees, or vines.
© Brad Walker / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 15, 2015Similar SpeciesNorthern Mockingbird
Adult
Northern Mockingbirds are larger than Gray Catbirds with a paler belly. They also have 2 white wingbars, which Gray Catbirds do not have.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, December 07, 2016Similar SpeciesTownsend's Solitaire
Adult
Townsend's Solitaires are paler gray with a pale eyering unlike Gray Catbirds, which are dark gray without an eyering. Solitaires also act very differently from a catbird, sitting on high, exposed perches.
© Ryan O'Donnell / Macaulay LibraryArizona, January 08, 2017Similar SpeciesPhainopepla
Female
Phainopeplas have a crest that Gray Catbirds do not have. Female Phainipeplas also have white edges on the wings while Gray Catbirds have solid gray wings.
© gord smith / Macaulay LibraryArizona, February 15, 2014Similar SpeciesBrown-headed Cowbird
Female
Female Brown-headed Cowbirds are browner overall than Gray Catbirds, which are dark gray. They also have a concial bill whereas catbirds have a thin bill.
© Arlene Ripley / Macaulay LibraryArizona, July 02, 2017Similar SpeciesBrewer's Blackbird
Female
Female Brewer's Blackbirds are browner overall than Gray Catbirds with a heftier bill.
© Shawn Billerman / Macaulay LibraryNevada, May 09, 2012Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Mockingbirds and Thrashers(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Mimidae)
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