Gray Catbirds in British Columbia
When catbirds are present in British Columbia, when they nest, which native British Columbia plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 1a–9a yard.
- Status in British Columbia
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–9a
When to expect catbirds in British Columbia
Gray Catbirds are summer residents in British Columbia, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on ants, beetles and caterpillars.
Temperate rainforest on the coast, dry interior valleys and mountains, and boreal forest in the northeast.
Nesting in British Columbia
Across British Columbia, catbirds typically nest from June–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.
Dry, warm coastal summers; hot in the Okanagan.
- Gray Catbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, paper birch, pin cherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native British Columbia plants that attract catbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for British Columbia, these 8 provide food or cover catbirds use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Feeding catbirds through the British Columbia year
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 British Columbia's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are catbirds in British Columbia year-round?
No. Gray Catbirds are summer breeders in British Columbia and leave for the winter.
When do catbirds nest in British Columbia?
Nesting in British Columbia typically runs June–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 1–6 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract catbirds in British Columbia?
Smooth sumac, Paper birch, Pin cherry, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine are native plants in British Columbia that provide food or cover for catbirds.
Gray Catbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in British Columbia
Sources
- Gray Catbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Gray Catbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Gray Catbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — British Columbia
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.