Gray Catbirds in Manitoba
When catbirds are present in Manitoba, when they nest, which native Manitoba plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 1a–3b yard.
- Status in Manitoba
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–3b
When to expect catbirds in Manitoba
Gray Catbirds are summer residents in Manitoba, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on ants, beetles and caterpillars.
Continental, from prairie in the southwest to boreal forest and Hudson Bay tundra in the north.
Nesting in Manitoba
Across Manitoba, 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.
Warm summers with a short, intense nesting season.
- Gray Catbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, bur oak, american elderberry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Manitoba plants that attract catbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for Manitoba, these 8 provide food or cover catbirds use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Blue fruit on red stems in early fall.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Feeding catbirds through the Manitoba 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 Manitoba's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are catbirds in Manitoba year-round?
No. Gray Catbirds are summer breeders in Manitoba and leave for the winter.
When do catbirds nest in Manitoba?
Nesting in Manitoba 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 Manitoba?
Smooth sumac, Bur oak, American elderberry, Virginia creeper, New England aster, Tall goldenrod, Eastern white pine, Paper birch are native plants in Manitoba that provide food or cover for catbirds.
Gray Catbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in Manitoba
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 — Manitoba
- 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.