Bay Photos by Donna

There is an abundance of Gray Catbirds in the Everglades and Big Cypress area of Florida.

Gray Catbird collecting berries

Have you heard one to understand why they’re named a catbird?  Take a listen…..

Gray Catbird ‘meowing’ call
(courtesy of Audubon.org)

The first time I heard one years ago, I honestly thought a kitten was hiding in the bushes.  I searched and searched for that poor kitty that needed help.  Suddenly a gray bird shot out of the bushes and was gone.  So was the meowing!

Gray Catbird collecting berries

This is a very secretive bird, always trying to hide from you in the thick of the leaves and branches.

Because I had been sitting still (in my bird mobile) for a while, watching and photographing this and several other bird species, a Gray Catbird brazenly landed in front of me on a fence.  😲

Curious Gray Catbird

When I see the Gray Catbird, I always think their ‘black cap’ looks like they have on a toupee.  😉

The Gray Catbird isn’t just black and gray.  If you’re lucky, you’ll get a glimpse of its rusty-color feathers under its tail.

Gray Catbird displaying its rusty brown rump

I watched and photographed all the birds in that one sitting for almost an hour, hoping I’d capture this bird with some of the pink flowers of a Hong Kong orchid tree s/he was flying in and out.

Finally, a moment of its rest gave me the opportunity.

Gray Catbird in a Hong Kong Orchid Tree

There was another, much smaller bird I was trying to capture in this same tree.  Next post!