Habitat:
The Gray Catbird summer in southern Canada, eastern and central U.S. Winters in Panama and the West Indies. Apparently migrates mostly at night.
It often hides in the shrubbery, making an odd variety of musical and harsh sounds, including the catlike mewing responsible for its name.
Diet:
Mostly insects and berries, especially in early summer. It eats many beetles ants, caterpillars, grasshoppers and other insects. Nestlings are fed almost entirely on insects. In fall and winter, it eats many wild berries and small fruit. Does much foraging on the ground, flipping leaves aside with its bill as it seeks insects.
Nesting:
When the Brown-headed Cowbird lays eggs in the nest of Catbirds, the eggs are usually punctured and ejected from the nest by the adult Catbird.
The nest is placed in dense shrubs, thickets, briar tangles, on low trees or shrubs, usually 3-10' above ground. The nest is built mostly by the female and is a bulky cup of twigs, leaves, grass and lined with a finer material.
Eggs:
4, sometimes 3-5, greenish blue in color. Incubation is by the female only, about 12-13 days.
Young:
Both parents bring food for the nestlings. Young leave the nest about 10-11 days after hatching. 2 broods per year.
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