Grey Catbird

Dumetella carolinensis

Introduction

A small, grey, thrush-sized bird with a dark cap, this extremely rare visitor from North America (where it is one of the commonest migrants) is named for its distinctive mewling call.

While many are migrant, wintering around the Gulf of Mexico coast and on various Caribbean Islands, populations along the Atlantic coast are resident, which may explain the very small number of British records.

Key Stats

Status

Very rare

Weight

33g

Seasonality

<1%

BTO Records

176 records

Population and distribution stats for:

No data

No current data

No current data

No data

No current data

No current data

Status and Trends

Population size, trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO and partnership surveys and atlasses with data collected by BTO volunteers.

Conservation Status

Open Close

This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global)

Least Concern

Schedule 1 Licence required (to disturb)*

Birds Directive Annex 1

* A guide only. Check details with the original legislation, especially those marked with an asterisk. See About Birdfacts for more information.

Population Size

Open Close

BOU Category

Source

First Record*

Anglesey, 2001 (Cork, 1986)

* First documented occurrence. Most species undoubtedly occurred before this. See About Birdfacts for more information.

Population Change

Open Close

Population trends of this scarce species are not routinely monitored.

Distribution

Open Close

This vagrant is too rarely reported to map distribution.

Distribution Change

Open Close

This vagrant is too rarely reported to map distribution change.

Seasonality

Open Close

Grey Catbird is a very rare vagrant. These records relate to one well-watched individual.

Weekly pattern of occurrence

The graph shows when the species is present in the UK, with taller bars indicating a higher likelihood of encountering the species in appropriate regions and habitats.

Phenology graph — Weekly occurrence patterns (shaded cells and reporting rates (vertical bars) based on BirdTrack data. Reporting rates give the likelihood of encountering the species each week.

Movement

Information about Grey Catbird movements and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.

Britain & Ireland movement

Open Close

View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report

European movements

Open Close

EuroBirdPortal uses birdwatcher's records, such as those logged in BirdTrack to map the flows of birds as they arrive and depart Europe. See maps for this species here.

Biology

Lifecycle and body size information for Grey Catbird, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.

Survival and Longevity

Open Close

Survival is shown as the proportion of birds surviving from one year to the next and is derived from bird ringing data. It can also be used to estimate how long birds typically live.

Classification, names and codes

Taxonomy, names and species codes for Grey Catbird

Classification and Codes

Open Close

Order: Passeriformes
Family: Mimidae
Scientific name: Dumetella carolinensis
Authority: Linnaeus, 1766

Euring code number: 10800

Alternate species names

Open Close

Catalan: mim gris
Czech: drozdec cernohlavý
Danish: Kattedrossel
Dutch: Katvogel
Estonian: kass-pilalind
Finnish: naukumatkija
French: Moqueur chat

German: Katzenspottdrossel
Hungarian: macskamadár
Icelandic: Kattfugl
Irish: Catéan Liath
Italian: Uccello gatto capinero
Latvian: kaku putns
Lithuanian: katine pamegda
Norwegian: Kattespottefugl

Polish: przedrzezniacz ciemny
Portuguese: pássaro-gato
Slovak: drozdec macací
Slovenian: sivi oponašalec
Spanish: Pájaro gato gris
Swedish: grå kattfågel
Welsh: Cathaderyn Llwyd

More Evidence

More evidence from Conservation Evidence.com

Partners

Birdfacts is based on data collected by volunteers participating in surveys that are organised and funded by BTO, RSPB, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, JNCC and other partners.

BTO

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

JNCC

RSPB

Find a Species

Search by common or scientific name

Or view the alphabetical list of UK bird species