The Oft Elusive Gray Catbird

While to some this bird may seem drag, its coloring is absolutely outshined by its amazing vocalizations which are reminiscent of tropical jungle melodies. It’s in the same family as the Northern Mockingbird, and it can mimic other birds’ songs like its relative. It also presents a little surprise of deep red color under its tail which is not always obvious, but still adds to the bird’s charm.

This isn’t a bird that typically hangs out for moments on end perched out in the sunshine.

I typically hear the Gray Catbird in the thickets and tangled vines of our wild raspberries well before I see it. Along with a diet of mostly insects, they also love fruit. Therefore, it only makes sense to build one’s nest near the local produce section!

The wild raspberry that abound all around our property are beginning to ripen. It’s obvious that some fruits are ready for picking as the bird I captured in these images shows a bit of juice around his beak and neck! It makes me very happy to know that we can provide these special birds what they need to thrive.