Grey catbirds are medium-sized songbirds found throughout much of North America. They get their name from their distinctive cat-like meowing call. Grey catbirds build nests in a variety of locations, but they have some preferred nesting sites and requirements.
Preferred Nesting Habitats
Grey catbirds most commonly build their nests in shrubs, thickets, and dense vegetation. They tend to prefer sites with good cover to conceal their nests from predators. Some of their favorite nesting habitats include:
- Thick hedgerows
- Forest edges
- Overgrown fields
- Shrubby wetlands
- Backyards and gardens with dense shrubs
These types of sites provide the well-hidden nest locations that grey catbirds seek out. The dense vegetation helps camouflage the nest from predators and shelters it from sun, rain, and wind.
Nest Placement
Within these nesting habitats, grey catbirds often build their nests 3-10 feet above the ground. They may nest slightly higher or lower depending on the vegetation available. Grey catbirds seem to prefer nesting sites around eye level.
Some specific nest placement sites grey catbirds use include:
- In a fork of small branches in a shrub or hedge
- Against the trunk of a shrub, hidden by foliage
- In a dense thicket amongst many intertwining branches
- Hidden in vine tangles
The nest is lashed to supporting branches with plant fibers, grasses, and other materials and blended in with its surroundings. The outside of the nest is often decorated with bits of bark, dead leaves, and lichen to provide camouflage.
Nesting Materials
Grey catbird nests are bulky, neat cups woven from a variety of materials collected from the surroundings. Their nests are comprised of:
- Twigs
- Grass and weed stems
- Leaves
- Bark strips
- Grapevine bark
- Bits of trash such as paper or plastic
- Spider silk
The nest cup is then lined with finer soft materials such as:
- Fine grasses
- Rootlets
- Animal hair
- Feathers
- Cattail fluff
This combination of materials makes a sturdy outer nest with a soft inner lining to cradle the eggs and chicks.
Timing of Nest Building
Grey catbirds build their nests during the breeding season, which aligns with the onset of spring and summer. In most parts of their range, nest building takes place from April through July.
Nest building may start 4-8 weeks before eggs are laid. The female does most of the construction work, though the male may bring some material. The nest takes 5-7 days to construct and may be repaired and added to during the nesting cycle.
Grey catbirds may raise 2-3 broods per breeding season, building a new nest for each clutch of eggs.
Range of Grey Catbirds
Grey catbirds breed across much of the eastern half of North America. Their breeding range extends from southern Canada through the United States and into Mexico. Some key areas include:
- Southern Canada from British Columbia to Nova Scotia
- Throughout the continental United States, excluding the Southwest
- Along the Gulf Coast and throughout Florida
- As far south as the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico
In these regions, suitable nesting habitat can be found from backyard thickets to wetland forests to overgrown fields. Grey catbirds may be absent from higher elevation mountain regions.
Threats to Nests
Grey catbird nests face threats from predators and severe weather. Common nest predators include:
- Squirrels
- Snakes
- Crows
- Jays
- Raccoons
- Opossums
- Feral cats
Severe storms can damage or destroy nests. Parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds may also impact nesting success.
Conservation Status
Grey catbird populations are generally stable and the species is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Clearing of scrubby, overgrown nesting habitats likely poses the largest threat to populations. Maintaining dense native vegetation across the landscape gives grey catbirds the nesting sites they need to thrive.
Interesting Facts
- Both male and female grey catbirds sing, with males singing more frequently to defend territories.
- Grey catbirds get their name from their distinctive cat-like mewing calls.
- They are adept mimics, incorporating sounds from other birds and even mechanical noises into their songs.
- Nests may be parasitized by brown-headed cowbirds, whose eggs the catbirds accept and raise as their own.
- Grey catbirds migrate back to breeding grounds year after year, exhibiting site fidelity.
Conclusion
Grey catbirds seek out dense shrubby vegetation across much of North America to build their nests each spring and summer. They construct sturdy, well-hidden nests from a variety of materials to hold their broods. Maintaining scrubby, overgrown habitats with native plants can provide crucial nesting sites for grey catbirds and other shrubland birds. Their loud, mimic-filled songs add excitement to landscapes from backyard thickets to wetland forests. With adequate habitat, grey catbirds and their fascinating nests can be enjoyed for years to come.