Gray Catbird

I looked outside at 7:30 a.m. in the morning, and I saw a gray bird, standing up on the ground, about 6 feet from the front door of my house. The Gray 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. Scientific name: Dumetella carolinensis. In summer, Gray catbirds, eat mainly ants, beetles, grasshoppers, midges, caterpillars, and moths. When fruits are available, they also eat holly berries, cherries, elderberries, poison ivy, greenbrier, bay, and blackberries. They are sometimes garden pests, eating or damaging raspberries, cherries, grapes, and strawberries. A medium - sized, slender songbird, with a long, rounded, black tail, and a narrow, straight bill. Catbirds, are fairly long legged, and have broad, rounded wings. Catbirds, give the impression of being entirely slaty gray. With a closer look, you'll see a small black cap, blackish tail, and a rich rufous - brown patch, under the tail. Also, dark eyes and bill. The Gray catbird, is a migratory species. Spring migration ranges from March to May, and in the fall, ranges from late August to November. In some areas, it is known as the slate - colored mockingbird. No other North American bird, has a uniform, dark gray plumage.