Image via Macaulay Library
Gray Catbird
- Scientific name
- Dumetella carolinensis
- Family
- Mimidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Shrubland
- Wing shape
- Rounded
- Tail shape
- Notched
Where it came from
The gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis, is a member of the Mimidae family, which includes mockingbirds and thrashers. It is an evolutionary marvel of the Nearctic realm, characterized by its slate-gray plumage, black cap, and distinctively rufous undertail coverts. It was scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1766, emerging from early ornithological classification efforts that sought to categorize the vast avian biodiversity of the North American continent.
The bird's design is defined by functional adaptations for life in dense thickets and shrubbery. Its rounded wing shape provides the maneuverability necessary for navigating heavy vegetation, while its notched tail serves as a rudder for precise, short-distance flight. It earned its common name from the distinct, feline-like mewing call it produces, a vocalization that has fascinated naturalists and birders for centuries due to its melodic complexity and mimetic abilities.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Gray Catbird
Gray Catbird is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Gray Catbird on collecto.rs?
Gray Catbird doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Gray Catbird?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Gray Catbird catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Gray Catbird is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
