-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
catbird
noun
cat·bird
ˈkat-ˌbərd
: an American songbird (Dumetella carolinensis) that is dark gray in color with a black cap and reddish coverts under the tail and is related to the mockingbird
Examples of catbird in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Their dense, mounded shape provides excellent nesting habitat for robins, song sparrows, cardinals, brown thrashers, indigo buntings, and catbirds.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2024
In early summer, small but nutritious berries (which humans can eat, too) are enjoyed by over 35 species of birds, including cedar waxwings, robins, catbirds, thrushes, and Baltimore orioles.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2024
Be prepared for some competition; elderberries are a favorite of warblers, orioles, tanagers, and catbirds.
—Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2024
Thus, in effect, either small party could find itself in the catbird’s seat, with the prospect of wielding disproportionate clout in defining a coalition.
—Paul Hockenos, Foreign Affairs, 20 Sep. 2017
Jones, who briefly held a gray catbird before it was released, was glad for the opportunity.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2024
But species that can mimic the calls of others, like the catbird and grackle, also scored above the mean.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 14 Sep. 2023
Three species—starlings, blue jays and gray catbirds—had emerged as the most adept vocal learners, according to a statement.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Sep. 2023
The first green herons and Baltimore orioles of the season at several localities, two sandhill cranes in Worthington, a wood thrush and a warbling vireo in Pelham, and recently arrived gray catbirds in several locations.
—Isabela Rocha, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Apr. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1709, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing catbird
Dictionary Entries Near catbird
Cite this Entry
“Catbird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catbird. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
Kids Definition
catbird
noun
cat·bird
ˈkat-ˌbərd
: a dark gray American songbird with a black cap and a reddish underside of the base of the tail
More from Merriam-Webster on catbird
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catbird
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share