Preening Gray Catbird

Near the beginning of our hike on the Dark Hollow Rose River Loop, as we were switch-backing down to the Dark Hollow Falls, a couple of Gray Catbirds were flitting about in the bushes next to the trail. As we came around one of the switchbacks, one of the pair stopped in a nice, sunny spot and decided it was a great place and time for a bit of preening. I stopped and watched, happy at the chance for some photographs of a bird that was not flying away. My favorite is the third photograph below, where the bird looks like it is in the middle of some type of Japanese traditional dance.

Gray Catbird

As I hinted at yesterday, my backyard is small. And just beyond my fence line there is an interstate highway. But somewhere near my backyard a pair of Gray Catbirds have made a home. Perhaps it is the stand of trees that run between the houses in my neighborhood and the interstate. Or perhaps it is the collection of plants and trees in some neighbor's yard. Whatever the location, the catbirds have made a home, and they have decided that my peanut suet is worth visiting.

One thing I like about the Gray Catbird is that, despite their overall gray appearance, they have this patch of rust color on their undertail coverts. That is a nice dash of color, on an otherwise drab bird. And when you see that color in the field, it can be fulfilling. It is almost like you have not really seen the catbird until you see the flash of that rust color. From these pictures, you can barely get a glimpse of that rust color, on the underside of the tail near the body.