Never seen a bird like this one before ...

This bird showed up in my yard at dusk tonight. It was a dark grey color. I've never seen a bird that looked like it before.

I took the photo through a window, so it is not a sharp, clear photo. It's the only photo I got of this unusual bird. Sorry.

Can anyone possibly ID this bird for me. I am seeing more and more migrating birds showing up in my yard now. It's still very hot here, but I hear the weather has definitely turned cold in the upper Northern states.

Thanks for any information you can shed on this bird.

It's a Catbird, Becky. I usually have one or two every winter.

This message was edited Oct 15, 2009 8:25 PM

Hi Becky, Yes it's called a Gray Catbird. We have them up here too but I don't see them in my yard very often.

Thanks gardenpom and Pelle!!!

I've never seen one before! Very cool! I love how they mimick other sounds! Kinda exciting to see a new bird species in my yard!

My yard looked like a circus act yesterday with so many birds zipping around low to the ground as well as the heavy flyers such as the Doves and Bluejays. I usually just put out seeds in the morning before work. But I've decided I am going to add some seeds in the late afternoon too. It seems to bring in a lot of fun action for me to observe!

I'm starting to get some interesting migratory birds, such as the catbird and a male painted bunting (I haven't seen one in 2 years!). I see other birds, too, but they don't stay still long enough for me to get a photo. And my camera isn't that good to get sharp close-ups. :-( I have a female RT hummer that seems to stay year round. (Or maybe it is many female hummers, not sure. I am hoping to get her banded.) Well, I'm seeing the migratory RT males now. Which she doesn't like sharing her territory with. So the show is quite amusing. I love Fall and Winter in Florida! It's such fun!

And lots of butterflies, too! My backyard slightly resembles a jungle because I have a thing for vines and red blooming flowers. I live in a residential neighborhood with proper manicured lawns and shrubs, very few flowers. My front yard looks pretty reserved, but the backyard is like stepping into another world. Which was all brought about because I was trying to attract hummingbirds. Which worked! I never expected the added benefit of all these other birds and creatures. As they say ... Plant it and they will come! :-)

Thanks for the ID ladies! I really appreciate it!

Here is a photo of my female hummer whom I believe is a resident. This was taken through a glass window on my french door and through a screened porch . She was about 50 feet away on the phone line guarding her little corner of paradise! LOL! Sorry for such lousy photos!

Two female and one male Painted Bunting today, Becky!

Becky, Grey Cat Birds are really cool and get their name because their call does sound like a cat "meowing." If you can get a good look at it, you'll see a black circle on the top of its head and a small patch of coral coloring under its tail.

Carla

Yay! Gardenpom! I know that made your week! :-)

Carla - Thanks! I looked at my photo closer and I do see the coral color under it's tail. So neat to have seen this bird. Perhaps I will see it again. :-)

Was looking around DG and see that there is now a Bird Files.

I would like to add a few photos that I was fortunate enough to get to the files. I got some nice photos of Screech Owls. When I started to put them into the appropriate Bird Files, I noticed there are many different species of Screech Owls. Can someone tell me if this is an Eastern Screech Owl or which species?

Hi Becky, I believe this is the one your looking for as I see Florida listed for them.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/birdfiles/go/179/