Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) is in the Mockingbirds and Thrashers family (Mimidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 83,479 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Gray Catbird: observations by month (U.S.)
About Gray Catbird
The gray catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), also spelled grey catbird, is a medium-sized North American and Central American perching bird of the mimid family. It is the only member of the "catbird" genus Dumetella. Like the black catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris), it is among the basal lineages of the Mimidae, probably a closer relative of the Caribbean thrasher and trembler assemblage than of the mockingbirds and Toxostoma thrashers. In some areas it is known as the slate-colored mockingbird.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Gray Catbird by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 8,929 | May | May–Jul |
| Pennsylvania | 8,561 | May | May–Jul |
| Florida | 6,855 | March | Oct–Apr |
| Massachusetts | 6,720 | May | May–Jul |
| Virginia | 5,142 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Maryland | 4,908 | May | Apr–Jul |
| New Jersey | 4,193 | May | May–Jul |
| Ohio | 3,877 | May | May–Jun |
| Texas | 3,329 | April | Apr–May |
| Illinois | 3,208 | May | May–Jun |
| North Carolina | 2,401 | April | Apr–Jul |
| Minnesota | 2,150 | May | May–Jul |
| Wisconsin | 2,122 | May | May–Jul |
| Vermont | 1,663 | May | May–Jul |
| Connecticut | 1,656 | May | May–Jul |
| South Carolina | 1,652 | April | Apr–Jul |
| Michigan | 1,421 | May | May–Jul |
| Georgia | 1,229 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Maine | 1,142 | May | May–Aug |
| Indiana | 1,074 | May | May–Jul |
| New Hampshire | 939 | May | May–Jul |
| District of Columbia | 920 | June | Apr–Jul |
| Rhode Island | 896 | May | May–Aug |
| Tennessee | 778 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Iowa | 675 | May | May–Jul |
| Delaware | 629 | May | May–Jun |
| Missouri | 623 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Colorado | 617 | May | May–Jul |
| Louisiana | 579 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Alabama | 578 | April | Apr–Jun |
| Nebraska | 461 | May | May–May |
| Mississippi | 410 | April | Apr–May |
| West Virginia | 365 | May | May–Jul |
| Arkansas | 321 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Montana | 298 | June | May–Aug |
| Kansas | 273 | May | May–Jun |
| Kentucky | 261 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Washington | 256 | June | May–Jul |
| South Dakota | 215 | May | May–Sep |
| California | 183 | October | Oct–Jan |
| Oklahoma | 165 | May | Apr–Jul |
| Idaho | 161 | June | May–Jul |
| New Mexico | 122 | May | May–Feb |
| Utah | 121 | June | May–Sep |
| Wyoming | 120 | July | May–Aug |
| Oregon | 84 | June | May–Jul |
| Arizona | 77 | October | Oct–Feb |
| North Dakota | 75 | May | May–Sep |
| Alaska | 30 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Nevada | 15 | October | Oct–Oct |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
Northern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
Curve-billed Thrasher
California Thrasher
Sage Thrasher
Long-billed Thrasher
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Gray Catbird?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to July.
Where is Gray Catbird most often seen?
The most observations come from New York, Pennsylvania, Florida.