Working in the garden this spring I am startled by the sound of a cat, looking around I find no feline, just my old friend the Catbird, mewing to get my attention. The Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis, is a "Mimid," a bird that sings many songs which often mimic other birds. This is a wonderful ability, filling the air around the house with beautiful song. Like its namesake the cat it also is capable of a "meow" sound. Also like its namesake, it is quite curious. It enjoys finding me in the garden and keeping an eye on me from a close branch or bush. I like to think this is friendliness, but more likely he or she is just keeping a potential enemy under surveillance.
