Gray Catbirds in North Carolina
When catbirds are present in North Carolina, when they nest, which native North Carolina plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 5b–8b yard.
- Status in North Carolina
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–8b
When to expect catbirds in North Carolina
Gray Catbirds are summer residents in North Carolina, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on ants, beetles and caterpillars.
Mountains, Piedmont and coastal plain differ sharply — cool, snowy highlands to mild, humid coast.
Nesting in North Carolina
Across North Carolina, catbirds typically nest from May–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 and humid in the Piedmont and coast; cooler at elevation.
- Gray Catbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as flowering dogwood, winterberry, serviceberry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native North Carolina plants that attract catbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for North Carolina, these 8 provide food or cover catbirds use:
The state flower and a top fall fruit source.
Red fruit held into winter.
June fruit.
Winter food and cover.
Long nectar season.
Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Acorns plus hundreds of caterpillar species for nestling food.
Feeding catbirds through the North Carolina 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 North Carolina's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are catbirds in North Carolina year-round?
No. Gray Catbirds are summer breeders in North Carolina and leave for the winter.
When do catbirds nest in North Carolina?
Nesting in North Carolina typically runs May–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 1–6 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract catbirds in North Carolina?
Flowering dogwood, Winterberry, Serviceberry, Eastern red cedar, Coral honeysuckle, Staghorn sumac, Smooth sumac, White oak are native plants in North Carolina that provide food or cover for catbirds.
Gray Catbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in North Carolina
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 — North Carolina
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.