I'm not sure which it is, but I'd prefer to know for sure....

I have a bird that visits once in a while...he's either a catbird or a Northern mockingbird. I have never been able to study him long enough to know for sure, nor am I ever able to take a photo.

But I can tell you this much...he's always solitary. Never goes to any of my feeders (I have ground platforms and hanging platforms, and offer BOSS, safflower, shelled peanuts, peanuts in shell, cracked corn). He only comes to drink from the birdbath. And then he's gone. I never see him hanging out anywhere else, or in any of the nearby trees.

Based on that behavior, does it sound like it could be a catbird or mockingbird to you?

Tx!

The easiest way to tell them apart is that a mockingbird is gray and white, and a catbird is all gray (it's a slightly darker gray, too). You should be able to see the difference.

The behavior could be either. Catbirds and mockers are very closely related, and basically behave in very similar fashion. Mockers are usually somewhat more aggressive, but both will come to suet, jelly, fruit, etc. from time to time, and both love bird baths.

Jill

Benton, ME
Canon Digital Rebel XT
Canon EF70-300 F4-5.6 IS USM

well then I guess it's a mockingbird. I do know that it has lots of variations...lots of dramatic markings when it's wings open up...almost as dramatic as a blue jay, except that the colors are shades of grey and "white". And his "tail" is even similar to a bluejay in that, from the side, the tail feathers extend quite a bit out from the rest of his body.... And his legs are pretty "long"...

I agree with the gray versus the grey and white. And Mockingbirds have a very long tail, grey and white striped wings, and are pretty aggressive, love to get at suet cages, dip in the bird bath and take off. They seem to be slightly larger than a cat bird as I recall but could be wrong on that.

Carol
Milford, CT
Zone 6

Here is help (from the FAQ's) on staying logged-in:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/445702/message/1129063860/How+to+stay+logged+in

-
Cheers,Bob
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b
It's Winter!

Gray and white is definitely a mocker. Catbirds are gray all over, except for a slightly darker cap and some rufous on the vent.

Jill

Benton, ME
Canon Digital Rebel XT
Canon EF70-300 F4-5.6 IS USM