Gray Catbirds in South Dakota
When catbirds are present in South Dakota, when they nest, which native South Dakota plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–5b yard.
- Status in South Dakota
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–5b
When to expect catbirds in South Dakota
Gray Catbirds are summer residents in South Dakota, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on ants, beetles and caterpillars.
Continental, with prairie east of the Missouri River and the forested Black Hills in the west.
Nesting in South Dakota
Across South Dakota, 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 summers with thunderstorms; the Black Hills host western mountain birds.
- Gray Catbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as eastern red cedar, smooth sumac, bur oak for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native South Dakota plants that attract catbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for South Dakota, these 8 provide food or cover catbirds use:
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
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 fruit on red stems in early fall.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Feeding catbirds through the South Dakota 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 South Dakota's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are catbirds in South Dakota year-round?
No. Gray Catbirds are summer breeders in South Dakota and leave for the winter.
When do catbirds nest in South Dakota?
Nesting in South Dakota 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 South Dakota?
Eastern red cedar, Smooth sumac, Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, Virginia creeper, New England aster, Tall goldenrod are native plants in South Dakota that provide food or cover for catbirds.
Gray Catbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in South Dakota
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 — South Dakota
- 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.