Gray Catbirds in New Brunswick
When catbirds are present in New Brunswick, when they nest, which native New Brunswick plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 3a–5b yard.
- Status in New Brunswick
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 3a–5b
When to expect catbirds in New Brunswick
Gray Catbirds are summer residents in New Brunswick, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on ants, beetles and caterpillars.
Humid continental with Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence coastlines and extensive forest.
Nesting in New Brunswick
Across New Brunswick, 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.
Mild summers.
- Gray Catbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as serviceberry, winterberry, staghorn sumac for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native New Brunswick plants that attract catbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for New Brunswick, these 8 provide food or cover catbirds use:
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter.
Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover.
Blue fruit on red stems in early fall.
Feeding catbirds through the New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are catbirds in New Brunswick year-round?
No. Gray Catbirds are summer breeders in New Brunswick and leave for the winter.
When do catbirds nest in New Brunswick?
Nesting in New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick?
Serviceberry, Winterberry, Staghorn sumac, Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, Arrowwood viburnum, Virginia creeper are native plants in New Brunswick that provide food or cover for catbirds.
Gray Catbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in New Brunswick
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 — New Brunswick
- 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.