My wife Nancy got balled out this week. Not by me, of course. I’ve got better sense. But she did receive quite a scolding from one of our resident catbirds. Nancy was trimming an azalea bush and must have gotten a little too close to one of Mrs. Catbird’s babies. The catbird really let her have it.
I’ve only had catbirds visit our yard for the last 7 or 8 years, but now they’re regulars. They winter in the deep south, even into Mexico, and head north in spring, find a mate and try to pull off two clutches per year.
Catbirds are one of just a few birds that can mimic other birds and noises. Catbirds can even duplicate the sounds of tree frogs. They have quite a vocabulary and a beautiful singing voice when motivated. They can also screech like cats and fuss like an angry Mother-In-Law as they did to Nancy.
I have noticed that our catbirds spend quite a bit of time on or near the ground in dense vegetation. I have also noted that I never see baby catbirds. I think the parents keep them largely hidden until they are near adult-size. Thus, they stay of sight beneath the hedges and bushes.
Catbirds love fruit, but they will eat and feed sunflower hearts to their young. They also are addicted to C&S Peanut Suet Logs. They peck out a mouthful, then fly beneath the bushes to feed their young.
Catbirds, often and usually return to their previous nesting sites. They can also live quite a while. One bird banded in Maryland popped up in New Jersey 17 years later. They are beautiful, friendly birds and I like having them around. Besides, Nancy needs a little scolding from time to time.