How long do catbirds live?
The oldest Gray Catbird on record lived to 17.9 years, a record from a wild bird. That is a ceiling, not an average: most wild catbirds live only a few years.
- Longest recorded lifespan
- 17.9 years
- Record from
- Wild bird
- Age at first breeding
- About 1 year
- Eggs per clutch
- 1–6 eggs
- Broods per year
- 1–2 per season
- Size
- 8.3–9.4 in, 0.8–2 oz
- Rank in family (of species on this site)
- 2 of 5
Record age versus typical age
Longevity records come from birds that were marked and later found again, usually through bird banding, or from birds kept in zoos. They show what a Gray Catbird can survive to, not what most do.
For small birds, the first year is the hardest. Many eggs and nestlings are lost to predators and weather, and young birds that leave the nest still have to learn to find food and avoid hawks and cats. A bird that survives its first winter has a much better chance of living several more years. That is why average lifespans in the wild are short even when the record is long.
Catbirds usually start breeding at about 1 year old. Each season a pair lays 1–6 eggs and raises 1–2 per season, with eggs taking 12–14 days to hatch.
How catbirds compare with relatives
Oldest recorded ages for other mockingbirds and thrashers on this site.
- Northern Mockingbird20 years
- Brown Thrasher12.8 years
- Curve-billed Thrasher10.8 years
- California Thrasher6.9 years
More about catbirds
Frequently asked
How long do catbirds live?
The longest-lived Gray Catbird on record reached 17.9 years, recorded from a wild bird. Most wild catbirds live far shorter lives, because the majority of young birds don't survive their first year.
How old is a Gray Catbird when it first breeds?
Usually about 1 year old.
What is the oldest Gray Catbird ever recorded?
17.9 years, according to the AnAge longevity database.
How many young can a Gray Catbird raise in a year?
Pairs lay 1–6 eggs and raise 1–2 per season.
Source: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Human Ageing Genomic Resources), record quality "acceptable", sample size "large". genomics.senescence.info