Gray Catbirds in Arizona

Gray Catbirds are summer residents in Arizona, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent. Local in the White Mountains. Through the season they feed on ants, beetles and caterpillars.

Hot Sonoran and Mojave deserts in the south and west, with pine-oak sky islands and the Colorado Plateau rising above 7,000 ft.

Across Arizona, catbirds typically nest from April–July. Nest site: bulky cup deep in dense thickets or vines. Females lay 1–6 eggs, incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 10–11 days.

Summer highs above 110°F in Phoenix and Tucson make water the single strongest attractant; the July monsoon triggers a second breeding pulse.

• Gray Catbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, black cherry, american elderberry for nest sites.
• Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Of the regional native plants we track for Arizona, these 8 provide food or cover catbirds use:

Catbirds rarely eat seed but visit oriole jelly feeders and fruiting shrubs; dense thickets bring them in.

• Best foods: Grape jelly, Oranges, Mealworms, Fresh berries.
• In Arizona's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for catbirds · Best feeder for catbirds