Species Comparisons • Backyard Identification
Gray Catbird vs Northern Mockingbird
Gray Catbird
Gray Catbird • Wikimedia Commons
Gray Catbird
Gray Catbird • Wikimedia Commons
Gray Catbird
Gray Catbird • Wikimedia Commons
Gray Catbird
Gray Catbird • Wikimedia Commons
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Mockingbird • Wikimedia Commons
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Mockingbird • Wikimedia Commons
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Mockingbird • Wikimedia Commons
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Mockingbird • Wikimedia Commons
Gray Catbird vs Northern Mockingbird (Dumetella carolinensis vs Mimus polyglottus): The Complete Backyard Identification Guide
Field Summary
Quick Answer: The Fastest Way to Tell Them Apart
The two gray mimids. Three rules:
- Wings: white patches flashing in flight = mockingbird; plain dark wings = catbird.
- Head and undertail: black cap + rusty undertail = catbird; plain gray = mockingbird.
- Song: repeats each phrase three or more times = mockingbird; jumbled with a mew = catbird.
At-a-Glance Comparison Table
The skulker and the show-off, side by side. KEY rows separate fastest.
| Feature | Gray Catbird | Northern Mockingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dumetella carolinensis | Mimus polyglottus |
| Length | 9.0 in (23 cm) | 10.0 in (25 cm) |
| Wingspan | 11 in (28 cm) | 14 in (36 cm) |
| Weight | 0.8–2.0 oz (23–56 g) | 1.4–2.0 oz (40–58 g) |
| Overall Shape | A slate-gray skulker with a black cap, black tail and rusty undertail coverts | A slim gray songbird with white wing patches that flash in flight |
| Male Plumage KEY | Slate gray overall with a black cap and tail and rusty undertail coverts (sexes alike) | Gray above, pale below, long tail, white wing patches and outer tail feathers (sexes alike) |
| Female Plumage | Identical to the male | Identical to the male |
| Bill Shape | Thin, black | Thin, slightly decurved, black |
| Tail | Long, black, often flipped and swung | Long, with white outer feathers |
| Core Range | East of the Rockies and across southern Canada — shrubby edges everywhere | The South, expanding north — towns, suburbs and open country |
| Migration KEY | Migrant; winters in the Southeast and Central America | Mostly resident; northern edge retreats in hard winters |
| Feeder Presence | Takes fruit, raisins, jelly and suet near dense shrubs | Guards suet and fruit feeders jealously against other birds |
| Favorite Foods | Insects, berries and fruit | Insects in summer, berries in winter |
| Song KEY | A long, disjointed mimicking medley — phrases sung once — plus catlike mews | A brilliant mimicking medley — each phrase repeated three or more times; unmated males sing all night |
| Flight Call | The namesake raspy “mew” | A harsh “chack” |
| Population Trend | Stable and common in shrubby habitat | Stable and expanding north; the state bird of five states |
Male Field Marks, Side by Side
Gray Catbird — Male
Dumetella carolinensis
- Slate gray, black cap and tail, rusty undertail.
- Mews like a cat from deep in the shrub.
- Mimics other birds, each phrase sung once.
Northern Mockingbird — Male
Mimus polyglottus
- Gray with flashing white wing patches.
- Mimics dozens of species — phrases repeated 3+ times.
- Sings all night under streetlights in spring.
Female & Juvenile Marks, Side by Side
Gray Catbird — Female
Dumetella carolinensis
- Identical to the male.
- Builds a dense cup in a thorny shrub.
- Boldly raids fruit bushes and jelly feeders.
Northern Mockingbird — Female
Mimus polyglottus
- Identical to the male.
- Pairs defend berry bushes all winter.
- Boldly dive-bombs cats, dogs and people.
Part-by-Part Anatomy Breakdown
Every part offers a check:
| Body Part | Gray Catbird | Northern Mockingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Color | Dark slate-gray | Pale gray above, whitish below |
| Head | Black cap | Plain gray, pale eye |
| Wings | Plain | Bold white patches, flashed in flight |
| Tail | Black, plain | Long, white outer feathers |
| Undertail Coverts | Rusty — the secret mark | Plain whitish |
| Song | Jumbled phrases plus a cat-like mew | Long series of mimicked phrases, each repeated 3+ times |
| Behavior | Skulks in dense shrubs | Sits high and bold; attacks intruders |
Song & Call Comparison
Gray Catbird
Dumetella carolinensis
Song: a disjointed mimicking medley — each phrase sung once.
Calls: the namesake catlike mew.
Gray Catbird voice • Wikimedia Commons
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottus
Song: a brilliant mimicking medley — each phrase repeated three or more times.
Calls: a harsh chack.
Northern Mockingbird voice • Wikimedia Commons
Range & Seasonal Presence
The Gray Catbird breeds in thickets across the East and Midwest, wintering in the Southeast and Central America.
The Northern Mockingbird is a year-round resident of the South, expanding north — suburbs, parks and hedgerows.
Feeder Behavior & Favorite Foods
- Gray Catbird: raisins, grape jelly, orange halves and suet crumbs in summer.
- Northern Mockingbird: fruit and suet in winter; defends berry bushes against all comers.
- Plant: dense berry shrubs — dogwood, holly, elderberry — feed both.
- Water: both bathe daily at a low birdbath.
Temperament & Flock Behavior
Gray Catbirds are curious skulkers — they answer a pish from inside the tangle and mew at the cat.
Northern Mockingbirds are fearless — singing at midnight under streetlights and dive-bombing cats, crows and people.
6-Step Backyard ID Checklist
- Wings. White patches = mockingbird; plain = catbird.
- Cap. Black cap = catbird; plain = mockingbird.
- Undertail. Rusty = catbird.
- Shade. Dark slate = catbird; pale gray = mockingbird.
- Song. Mimicked, repeated phrases = mockingbird; mewing jumble = catbird.
- Attitude. Skulks = catbird; dive-bombs = mockingbird.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tell a Gray Catbird from a mockingbird?
Catbirds are dark slate-gray with a black cap and rusty undertail coverts. Mockingbirds are paler gray with bold white wing patches and white outer tail feathers.
Which bird sounds like a cat?
The Gray Catbird — its mewing call is the source of the name. Mockingbirds imitate other birds instead.
Which one mimics other birds?
Both can, but the mockingbird is the champion — cycling through a dozen species’ songs, repeating each phrase three or more times.
Why does a mockingbird sing at night?
Unmated males sing through the night, especially in spring and under artificial light.
What do catbirds eat at feeders?
Raisins, grape jelly, orange halves and suet crumbs — catbirds love fruit.
Are mockingbirds aggressive?
Famous for it — they dive-bomb cats, dogs, crows and people who approach a nest or a defended berry bush.
Key Takeaways
- Wings: White patches = mockingbird; plain = catbird.
- Cap: Black cap = catbird.
- Undertail: Rusty = catbird.
- Shade: Dark = catbird; pale = mockingbird.
- Song: Repeats phrases = mockingbird; mews = catbird.
- Attitude: Skulker = catbird; attacker = mockingbird.