Birds of the World

Mimidae : Mockingbirds & Thrashers

Grey Catbird

Dumetella carolinensis

Bahama Islands - January 2014

Gray Catbird is an abundant but secretive North American species which gets its name from its mewing calls that sound remarkably similar to a domestic cat. Like most members of the Mimidae, Catbirds have a very varied song with much use of mimicry but, unlike the Mockingbirds and Thrashers, it usually sings from a concealed perch deep within a bush.

Adult - Maryland, USA - September 2000

Juvenile - Maryland, USA - September 2000