Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis
Global Rank:
G5
State Rank:
S5B
Agency Status
USFWS:
none
USFS:
none
BLM:
none
CFWCS Tier:
3
PIF:
3
General Description
Named for its mewing call. The Gray Catbird is a 22-cm-long, dark gray bird with a sturdy, relatively straight bill, black cap, long black tail, and chestnut undertail coverts (NGS 1983).
Distribution
Montana Range
Observations in Montana: 1774
Montana CountiesBeaverhead, Big Horn, Blaine, Broadwater, Carbon, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Deer Lodge, Fallon, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Garfield, Glacier, Golden Valley, Granite, Hill, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Liberty, Lincoln, Madison, McCone, Meagher, Mineral, Missoula, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River, Powell, Ravalli, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sanders, Sheridan, Silver Bow, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, Yellowstone
Migration
In Bozeman area normal migration periods are from May 20-25 and Sep 5-15.
Habitat
Throughout range found in dense shrubs or vine tangles; most abundant in shrub-sapling-stage successional habitats. Also found in forest edges and clearings, roadsides, fencerows, abandoned farmland and home sites, pine plantations, streamsides, and some residential areas. Uncommon in areas dominated by conifers. (Cimprich and Moore. The Birds of North America, No. 167, 1995).
Food Habits
Main foods taken include insects and small fruits (Cimprich and Moore 1995).
Reproductive Characteristics
Nests mainly in living shrubs, saplings, small trees and vines. Nest is a small, bulky open cup. Eggs subelliptical in shape and uniform turquoise green, rarely with a few small reddish spots. Clutch size ranges 1-5 eggs. (Cimprich and Moore 1995). Near Fortine, egg dates range from Jun 9-22; young in nest from Jun 11-Jul 30. Statewide, nests from mid- Jun through July.