Gray Catbird

Here's a bird that's commonly found in the warmer months (like this one) but that's supposed to be around here all winter: the Gray Catbird. Although I spotted one in December, I rarely spot them this time of year. My guess is that this is because they're quieter this time of the year. The best reason for them to be squawking loudly is because that's the way males tell other males that this is their territory, and in the middle of winter there's just no need to be establishing a territory. 

This suggests that the loud squawking we associate with this species is almost all being done by the males, though females will make a softer-sounding version of this call. Given the foliage around it, I suspect this was one of those loud males.

September 9, 2022 at Duke Farms
Photo 248761176, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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