Anyone know how common Catbirds are?

[sybylla]

I've been attuned to birds ever since I moved out of an apartment into my own house 25 years ago. In all those years, I've never seen or heard one until this year.

For some reason, a Gray Catbird started nesting on our property this spring. Don't know if he has a mate. I only ever hear one call at a time so I suspect not yet.

He's not in the least bashful and will hang around the flower gardens when I'm outside. My moving about doesn't seem to spook him much.

I know very little about them and the bird book I have said little, except that I live within their natural range and that, if I'm good enough, I can call them in by imitating their call.

[XemaSab]

1. Not super rare

but it's cool you have one nesting there. :)

[Blue Gardener]

2. Feed them some grape jelly

I put jelly out for the orioles ant the catbirds love it. I have several visiting every day. If I run out, they aren't shy about letting me know about it.

[sybylla]

3. Ha, cool. I will do that.

That's one thing I didn't research yet - their feeding habits.

[NCarolinawoman]

4. In central North Carolina, they arrive in May.

I have read that they migrate to the coast in late summer, where the weather is not suppose to be so extreme.

I love to see the catbirds when they arrive. I spoil mine with blueberries.:-)

The rehabbers I talk to seem to have a soft spot for catbirds. They are not as aggressive as their cousins the mockingbirds, which seem to be a little more common in most places. The rehabbers describe them as "confiding", gentle in their own way, and easily tamed. I have always felt like I can kind of "connect" with them, along with the Carolina Wrens.

[sybylla]

5. I have a nice little spot to put treats for catbirds.

Blueberries are cheap here right now. I'll see if those will work.

BTW, this catbird arrived early. I heard the cry as early as March and wondered if there was a cat in the area. It wasn't long before I figured out it was a bird.

It was just before my original post when I finally started seeing it. Probably took that long because the weather just wasn't fit for being outside before that. We had a very long winter here and a malingering spring.

Thanks for the info. I have to confess I'm totally charmed.

[tigereye]

6. there are very cool catbirds at Chautauqua Lake here

they guard the edge of the cottage by the water. Lots of fun to observe- spritely personalities.