catbird

catbird
/kat"berrd'/, n.
any of several American or Australian birds having catlike cries, esp. Dumetella carolinensis (gray catbird), of North America.
[1700-10, Amer.; CAT1 + BIRD]

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Any of several passerine species (family Mimidae) named for their mewing calls, which they use in addition to song.

The North American catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) is 9 in. (23 cm) long and gray with a black cap. It is found in gardens and thickets. The black catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris) is found in coastal Yucatán. Three species of the bowerbird family are also called catbirds; they are found in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands and do not build bowers but hold territories in the forest by loud singing.

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▪ bird
      any of several bird species named for their mewing calls, which are used in addition to song. The North American catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), of the family Mimidae (order Passeriformes), is 23 cm (9 inches) long and is gray, with a black cap. It frequents gardens and thickets. The black catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris) is found in coastal Yucatán.

      The three species of the genus Ailuroedus, of the bowerbird family (Ptilonorhynchidae), are also called catbirds. These green birds occur in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. The male does not build a bower but holds territory in the forest by loud singing. For the related tooth-billed catbird, see bowerbird.

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Universalium. 2010.

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