Well, my first decent photo of one anyway.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I found this one a couple of days ago in the Wasatch Mountains. It briefly came in close and even though it had its back to me there are things I like about the photo including the singing pose, the good look at its entire dorsal surface and the way the bird is framed by the branches and twigs of the bush. There’s some clutter and out of focus branches in the foreground but we have a very clear and detailed look at the bird.
I don’t photograph this species very often because of their tendency to sing from perches that are buried in the bushes. Their genus name, Dumatella, meaning “small thicket,” accurately reflects that tendency.
Gray Catbirds are fascinating for a variety of reasons including the following:
- They’re one of only about a dozen species that recognize parasitic cowbird eggs and eject them from their nest. Interestingly it’s a learned behavior and not innate. For that reason cowbirds are only rarely successful in parasitizing catbird nests.
- Catbirds display tremendous vocal versatility, in part because of the structure of their syrinx (voice box). Both sides of their syrinx are able to function independently so the Gray Catbird can literally sing with two voices at the same time.
And I’d say that’s a pretty neat trick.
Ron
PS- I was too optimistic about my computer yesterday. This morning it won’t boot up again so I’m on my problematic laptop to publish this post. Don’t be surprised if I don’t publish a post for a few days until I somehow resolve the problem. Grrr!!!
Gorgeous. Am I seeing faint stripes in the tail? I haven’t seen a Catbird since I left the East.
I think each tail feather is lightly banded, Sallie.
Great timing. Such a beautiful bird. And a song at that. Maybe he was singing just for you!
Thanks, Jean.
In my yard, they compete with Baltimore orioles for the orange slices and jelly, and usually win.
I’m jealous of your yard birds, Kristine.
What a beauty. Love their cleverness too. I wonder why they are succesful in recognising/evicting ‘alien’ eggs where so many birds are not.
Good luck with the techno woes.
Good question, EC. I dunno. Making some progress on the techno stuff.
Nice pose. I thought it’s Latin name would translate as to the call it makes.
Thanks, April.
Ron,
As always a great shot and great education. If I follow “Feather Photography” daily for five years do I get a diploma? Anyway, catbird looks great there in its “Catbird Seat!” [I kill myself 😉 ]
I guess I need to spend more time in the canyons looking for birds.
Stephen
Around here, that’s where they are, Stephen – often near water as this one was.
Sure, I’ll consider you graduated!
Lovely to see this portrait today, since just minutes ago I had one of these fellows land a few feet away from me. Though we looked at each other for a few moments there was no photograph to had because he was indeed surrounded by a thicket branches. Darn. Congrats for taking a very nice photo!
They are consistent, aren’t they, Joanne!
Wonderful shot Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Beautiful! The bird really stands out in that setting and the feather details are sharp… 🙂 That “mewing” sound has gotten me more than once also! 😉 Good news that they get rid of the cowbird eggs……..I know BUT! 😉 DARN on the computer… 🙁 Since it’s both computers do you suppose it’s an electrical issue not the computer? Or are they on different circuits?
Thank you, Judy. I think it’s just an incredibly nasty and far fetched coincidence that it’s both computers.
Great shot Ron, a pose we often see here in the east. But, to be truthful, since moving to VT since 03′ we had one nesting outside our front door for ten years, few to none since moving to the left of center of VT in 13′. We miss seeing them and hearing them. Sorry, lovely shot!
Finally a gorgeous day, but still no butterflies as yet, maybe today!
10 years, that’s amazing, Dick. Raining here, again! Pretty soon I’m going to have to bale my lawn because it’s been so long since it’s been mowed.
Beautiful photo of an attractive bird Ron. Dumatella for small thicket is new knowledge for me as well as the fact that they have the ability to eject cowbird eggs. And having the opportunity to capture a great photo of a bird in a small thicket without any branches in the way is awesome.:)
Memorial Day Remembrance greetings to all your Feathered Photography followers.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
I’m glad you learned some new things, Everett. Thanks.
This is a lovely photo; I especially like this pose with the layers of feathers being so evident. 😍 Love the song on this bird. They certainly do love their thickets…the first time I heard the ‘mewing’ I was certain it was a cat or kitten. I stopped and search for it only to have it constantly move luring me further along a trail. He finally revealed himself and I saw the rufous butt then I knew I had been duped!
Cute story, Kathy. They also mimic the calls of other birds so sometimes I’m not sure what bird I’m listening to.
I love it when you teach me new things! Also, nice photo.
Good! Thanks, Nancy.