Gray Catbirds in Oregon
When catbirds are present in Oregon, when they nest, which native Oregon plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–9b yard.
- Status in Oregon
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9b
When to expect catbirds in Oregon
Gray Catbirds are summer residents in Oregon, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on ants, beetles and caterpillars.
Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.
Nesting in Oregon
Across Oregon, 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.
Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.
- Gray Catbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as smooth sumac, paper birch, chokecherry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Oregon plants that attract catbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for Oregon, these 8 provide food or cover catbirds use:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
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 Oregon 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 Oregon's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are catbirds in Oregon year-round?
No. Gray Catbirds are summer breeders in Oregon and leave for the winter.
When do catbirds nest in Oregon?
Nesting in Oregon 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 Oregon?
Smooth sumac, Tall goldenrod, Paper birch, Chokecherry, Red-osier dogwood, Highbush cranberry, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ponderosa pine are native plants in Oregon that provide food or cover for catbirds.
Gray Catbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in Oregon
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 — Oregon
- 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.