What kind of bird is this?

Lakesrider · 05-19-2010, 07:15 AM

I know this will get moved to the Wildlife forum, but figured I'd try here first...

I have a pair of these in my yard building a nest. They are not afraid of me at all. They will fly and land land right next to me like I wasn't there. Sounds a bit like a baby crying when they call out to each other. Almost like a Blue Jay, but not as harsh or loud...

Gray with a black crest....

Thanks, Just wondering...

Jonas Pilot · 05-19-2010, 07:18 AM

Could be a "Cat Bird".

Pineedles · 05-19-2010, 07:24 AM

MEOW! Does this give you a clue?

fatlazyless · 05-19-2010, 07:25 AM

Depends...does it go meow....meow...meow..... making it a cat-bird or does it go moo...moo...moo...making it a cow-bird?

Lakesrider · 05-19-2010, 07:49 AM

Thanks. I looked up Cat Bird online. Exactly what it is. I knew you guys would know.
I was just amazed at how unafraid they were of me.....I bet I could get them to eat out of my hand if I Got some beetles, or moths....

Quilt Lady · 05-19-2010, 09:06 AM

The catbird is a close relative of the mockingbird and is able to make many different songs but not as precise as the mockingbird. They are fun to have around even if they do their own versions of other birds songs.

Chickie · 05-19-2010, 09:51 AM

I agree that cat birds are fun to have around. We used to have high cedar hedges next to our driveway and they returned for many years to nest in them. Their antics were a delight and so amusing. They sometimes drove our cats as well as ourselves crazy, as they left us wondering whether it was a cat in distress or one of our fine feathered guests just teasing us. I'm sure you will enjoy having them around if they decide to nest on your property this year. They are one of my favorite birds.

Eagle · 05-19-2010, 10:21 AM

I had one bugging me when I was working on my shed a few years ago. It sat in the bushes and made all kinds of noises. Even imitated the sound of my hammer. So I got out my tape recorder and recorded him. Then I played the tape back through a loudspeaker and just about drove that bird crazy. It was a lot of fun to watch.

Pepper · 05-19-2010, 10:00 PM

There's a pair that return to nest in my yard every year. They provide endless amusement.

Rattlesnake Gal · 05-20-2010, 10:04 AM

Your catbird looks a bit different than the ones we have in southern NH.

They are wonderful birds that really entertain. I haven't seen one yet on the island.

Slickcraft · 05-20-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

Your catbird looks a bit different than the ones we have in southern NH.

They are wonderful birds that really entertain. I haven't seen one yet on the island.

That would be a "flatland" catbird.

Airedale1 · 05-20-2010, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonas Pilot

Could be a "Cat Bird".

It is. It's a Gray Catbird, nice capture.

Quilt Lady · 05-20-2010, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

Your catbird looks a bit different than the ones we have in southern NH.

Another "milk through the nose" moment!!!!!

SIKSUKR · 05-21-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

That would be a "flatland" catbird.

That flatlander catbird has moxie.

VtSteve · 05-21-2010, 06:56 PM

I had guessed bald eagle

Chickie · 06-21-2010, 10:43 AM

Requesting an update on the catbird, Lakesider. Did the happy couple finish building their nest and have a family? If so, are the young still in the nest or have they flown off into the world? Would be interested in a comprehensive status report

The Orioles who made their home here, left their nest last Thursday and are gone from the area. I understand that once the little ones take flight, the family moves to another area, usually where there is more meadowland. I will probably not see them again until next spring. In the meantime I have a resident Mockingbird who is keeping me entertained. He is a very chatty little fellow - definitely a morning person, who begins his cheerful songs at the crack of dawn and carries on until at least mid morning. He is not as vocal as the day goes on. Quite a character and I am happy he has chosen to make his home here this year.

Lakesrider · 06-30-2010, 10:18 AM

Well.... I still see them around. Has no problem hopping right by me about a foot or so away and checking out what I am doing in the yard. I see them flying in and out of a large arborvitae tree, so if there is a nest it has to be in there, but it is pretty high up and very thick so I can't see in there.
But to answer...yes they are still here. I'll try to get another picture...

05-19-2010, 07:15 AM	#1
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	What kind of bird is this? I know this will get moved to the Wildlife forum, but figured I'd try here first... I have a pair of these in my yard building a nest. They are not afraid of me at all. They will fly and land land right next to me like I wasn't there. Sounds a bit like a baby crying when they call out to each other. Almost like a Blue Jay, but not as harsh or loud... Gray with a black crest.... Thanks, Just wondering...

05-19-2010, 07:25 AM	#4
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,740 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,007 Times in 735 Posts	Depends...does it go meow....meow...meow..... making it a cat-bird or does it go moo...moo...moo...making it a cow-bird? __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

05-19-2010, 09:06 AM	#6
Quilt Lady Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: West Alton, NH Posts: 169 Thanks: 0 Thanked 25 Times in 11 Posts	I love catbirds . . . The catbird is a close relative of the mockingbird and is able to make many different songs but not as precise as the mockingbird. They are fun to have around even if they do their own versions of other birds songs. __________________ QL (Doing my best to encourage Global Warming ... one quilt at a time!)

05-19-2010, 09:51 AM	#7
Chickie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 368 Thanks: 0 Thanked 67 Times in 38 Posts	Cat Birds I agree that cat birds are fun to have around. We used to have high cedar hedges next to our driveway and they returned for many years to nest in them. Their antics were a delight and so amusing. They sometimes drove our cats as well as ourselves crazy, as they left us wondering whether it was a cat in distress or one of our fine feathered guests just teasing us. I'm sure you will enjoy having them around if they decide to nest on your property this year. They are one of my favorite birds.

05-19-2010, 10:00 PM	#9
Pepper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Laconia, NH Posts: 1,284 Thanks: 409 Thanked 155 Times in 40 Posts	There's a pair that return to nest in my yard every year. They provide endless amusement. __________________ Never waste time lamenting what was. Simply celebrate what is!

05-19-2010, 07:18 AM	#2
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	Could be a "Cat Bird".

05-19-2010, 07:24 AM	#3
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,542 Thanks: 1,072 Thanked 667 Times in 366 Posts	MEOW! Does this give you a clue?

05-19-2010, 07:49 AM	#5
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	Thanks. I looked up Cat Bird online. Exactly what it is. I knew you guys would know. I was just amazed at how unafraid they were of me.....I bet I could get them to eat out of my hand if I Got some beetles, or moths....

05-19-2010, 10:21 AM	#8
Eagle Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 48 Thanks: 24 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	I had one bugging me when I was working on my shed a few years ago. It sat in the bushes and made all kinds of noises. Even imitated the sound of my hammer. So I got out my tape recorder and recorded him. Then I played the tape back through a loudspeaker and just about drove that bird crazy. It was a lot of fun to watch.

05-20-2010, 10:04 AM	#10
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,451 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Catbirds Your catbird looks a bit different than the ones we have in southern NH. They are wonderful birds that really entertain. I haven't seen one yet on the island.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Rattlesnake Gal For This Useful Post:
DRH (05-20-2010), Pepper (05-21-2010)

05-21-2010, 06:56 PM	#15
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	Shoot, late again I had guessed bald eagle

06-21-2010, 10:43 AM	#16
Chickie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 368 Thanks: 0 Thanked 67 Times in 38 Posts	Requesting an update on the catbird, Lakesider. Did the happy couple finish building their nest and have a family? If so, are the young still in the nest or have they flown off into the world? Would be interested in a comprehensive status report The Orioles who made their home here, left their nest last Thursday and are gone from the area. I understand that once the little ones take flight, the family moves to another area, usually where there is more meadowland. I will probably not see them again until next spring. In the meantime I have a resident Mockingbird who is keeping me entertained. He is a very chatty little fellow - definitely a morning person, who begins his cheerful songs at the crack of dawn and carries on until at least mid morning. He is not as vocal as the day goes on. Quite a character and I am happy he has chosen to make his home here this year.

06-30-2010, 10:18 AM	#17
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	Well.... I still see them around. Has no problem hopping right by me about a foot or so away and checking out what I am doing in the yard. I see them flying in and out of a large arborvitae tree, so if there is a nest it has to be in there, but it is pretty high up and very thick so I can't see in there. But to answer...yes they are still here. I'll try to get another picture...