Gray Catbirds in Vermont
When catbirds are present in Vermont, when they nest, which native Vermont plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–5b yard.
- Status in Vermont
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- June–July
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–5b
When to expect catbirds in Vermont
Gray Catbirds are summer residents in Vermont, 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 the Green Mountains and the Champlain Valley.
Nesting in Vermont
Across Vermont, 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.
Short, mild summers.
- Gray Catbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as eastern red cedar, serviceberry, winterberry for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.
Native Vermont plants that attract catbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for Vermont, these 8 provide food or cover catbirds use:
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
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.
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Acorns plus hundreds of caterpillar species for nestling food.
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Feeding catbirds through the Vermont 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 Vermont's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are catbirds in Vermont year-round?
No. Gray Catbirds are summer breeders in Vermont and leave for the winter.
When do catbirds nest in Vermont?
Nesting in Vermont 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 Vermont?
Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Winterberry, Staghorn sumac, Smooth sumac, White oak, Bur oak, Black cherry are native plants in Vermont that provide food or cover for catbirds.
Gray Catbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in Vermont
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 — Vermont
- 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.