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Gray Catbird - Dumetella carolinensis

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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).

General Distribution
Montana Range



Western Hemisphere Range

 


Summary of Observations Submitted for Montana
Number of Observations: 2221

(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version) Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density

Recency

Breeding
(direct evidence "B")

Breeding
(indirect evidence "b")

No evidence of Breeding
(transient "t")

Overwintering
(regular observations "W")

Overwintering
(at least one obs. "w")


 

(Records associated with a range of dates are excluded from time charts)



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.

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Citation for data on this website:
Gray Catbird — Dumetella carolinensis.  Montana Field Guide.  Retrieved on February 9, 2010, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_ABPBK01010.aspx
 
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