Is my visitor part of of the Dumetella carolinensis (Cat Bird) family?

by TheLastLeafGardener

+28

Answered

A few days after Christmas a nearby neighbor helped me hang twelve suet filled "cages" on one the Christmas tree in my urban (NYC) garden (info @https://www.facebook.com/TheLastLeafGardener/posts/759908374058538). His result can be seen in the first two pictures.
In any event, a number of birds, that are my steady "customers," came to feast on the treats hanging from my Christmas tree. These included blue-jays, dark-eyed juncoes, European starlings, house finches and house sparrows.
Moreover, Cam and Mac (my Northern cardinals), as well as mourning doves and rock pigeons enjoyed the crumbs that fell to the floor.
This was no surprise, but on January 4th, I had a bird visit that I have not seen! I believe it to be a Dumetella carolinensis (Cat Bird) but because it spent time here during conditions that are not optimal for photograph taking, my images of him/her lack detail.
Still I am hoping someone in the HT community can help me ID this sweet newcomer. Please refer to images four through nine.

q visit from a mockingbird, gardening, outdoor living, pets animals, Image included in a post Swinging on a Star on TLLG s FB PAGE

Image included in a post ("Swinging on a Star") on TLLG's FB PAGE @ https://www.facebook.com/TheLastLeafGardener/posts/768342613215114

q visit from a mockingbird, gardening, outdoor living, pets animals, Image included with a TLLG FB entry

Image included with a TLLG FB entry @ https://www.facebook.com/TheLastLeafGardener/posts/759908374058538

q visit from a mockingbird, gardening, outdoor living, pets animals

10 answers

R.V.R. Farris on Jan 12, 2015
I do believe that is a Mockingbird, very similar to Catbird.

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- TheLastLeafGardener on Jan 20, 2015
  @R.V.R. Farris Thanks for taking the time to help me ID this one time "newbie" to my garden. To my knowedge she/he has not returned! )-; Do you know if pigeons intimidate Northern Mockingbirds? A few pigeons have now learned to eat from my the feeders I have hanging on my Christmas tree which I mentioned on TLLG's FB Page @https://www.facebook.com/TheLastLeafGardener/posts/772200836162625 Before this, the pigeons ate what dropped to the ground. I've never been able to deter pigeons but I do not let this stop me from trying to feed the smaller songbirds during the cold winter months!
  
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- R.V.R. Farris on Jan 20, 2015
  @TheLastLeafGardener We don't have any pigeons where we live now, so I really couldn't say whether they intimidate the mockingbirds or not. I will say I was surprised that the mockingbird had visited your feeders until I saw it was a suet feeder. Mockingbirds eat fruit, berries and insects. So, I'm guessing your suet feeder had some fruit in it. The feature that draws the mockingbirds in to our yard is the bird baths. And in the summer they will spend time in the sprinklers while the yards are getting their drink. After a good rain, or mowing they will hunt for insects in the yard. They are a joy to watch for sure. Thanks for asking for my input, I thoroughly enjoy watching all of the birds that come through our yard also.
  
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- TheLastLeafGardener on Jan 20, 2015
  @R.V.R. Farris Thanks for the heads up on insects and Northern Mockingbirds! A few of the suet cakes are insect suets. That explains the presence of a Northern Mockingbird. I love having that bird around and I will have to make sure I have insect suet even if it means pigeons will try to take it all. I also use bird baths but only in non-winter weather. I have no way of plugging in a heated bird bath in my garden, but if I dd, I would put up one in the winter. Thanks again for all your help!
  
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Joyce on Jan 12, 2015
Sure looks like a Northern Mockingbird to me! He's beautiful!

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- TheLastLeafGardener on Jan 20, 2015
  @Joyce I have come to the conclusion that the newbie was a Northern Mockingbird. And you are right, he/she is beautiful. Do you know if pigeons intimidate Northern Mockingbirds? A few pigeons have now learned to eat from my the feeders I have hanging on my Christmas tree which I mentioned on TLLG's FB Page @https://www.facebook.com/TheLastLeafGardener/posts/772200836162625 Before this, the pigeons ate what dropped to the ground. I've never been able to deter pigeons but I do not let this stop me from trying to feed the smaller songbirds during the cold winter months!
  
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Laurie on Jan 13, 2015
Eomo is correct, it is a Northern Mockingbird. A catbird is a solid grey without the stripes on the wings.

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- TheLastLeafGardener on Jan 20, 2015
  @Laurie Thanks for taking the time to comment and also to explain the stripes! Sadly the Northern mockingbird (at least to my knowedge) has not returned! Do you know if pigeons intimidate Northern Mockingbirds? A few pigeons have now learned to eat from my the feeders I have hanging on my Christmas tree which I mentioned on TLLG's FB Page @https://www.facebook.com/TheLastLeafGardener/posts/772200836162625 Before this, the pigeons ate what dropped to the ground. I've never been able to deter pigeons but I do not let this stop me from trying to feed the smaller songbirds during the cold winter months!
  
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- Laurie on Feb 02, 2015
  @TheLastLeafGardener try putting a suit feeder up. Mocking birds are not that interested in seed and a pigeon would have trouble hanging from a suit feeder. Suit with fruit should attract the Mocking Bird.
  
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- TheLastLeafGardener on Feb 03, 2015
  @Laurie I have put a number of suet feeders up and they can be seen hanging on the Christmas tree in images included with my question. More info can be found @ https://www.facebook.com/TheLastLeafGardener/posts/775176705865038 AND btw, NYC pigeons don't seem to have trouble hanging from suet feeders, They are very tenacious!
  
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Sandy Harmon on Jan 13, 2015
When I saw the first pic of him, I said to myself....Mockingbird. I have one at my feeders now and then.

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- TheLastLeafGardener on Jan 20, 2015
  @Sandy HarmonThanks for taking the time to comment! Sadly the Northern mockingbird (at least to my knowedge) has not returned! Do you know if pigeons intimidate Northern Mockingbirds? A few pigeons have now learned to eat from my the feeders I have hanging on my Christmas tree which I mentioned on TLLG's FB Page @https://www.facebook.com/TheLastLeafGardener/posts/772200836162625 Before this, the pigeons ate what dropped to the ground. I've never been able to deter pigeons but I do not let this stop me from trying to feed the smaller songbirds during the cold winter months!
  
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- Sandy Harmon on Jan 20, 2015
  @TheLastLeafGardener I have a lot of mourning doves that feed mostly on the ground....no pigeons.
  
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- TheLastLeafGardener on Jan 20, 2015
  @Sandy Harmon I used to have a lot of mourning doves* visit me as evidenced by these photos of them taken in my garden in bygone years.but sadly they only come around once in a while! I'm not sure if their absence is due to the presence of their cousins, rock pigeons. * http://thelastleafgardener.tumblr.com/search/Mourning+Doves * http://www.thelastleafgardener.com/search/label/Mourning%20Doves * http://www.pinterest.com/thellgardener/mourning-doves-in-my-urban-nyc-garden/ * http://www.pinterest.com/thellgardener/nor-easter-nemo-and-the-wild-bird-in-my-urban-gard/ * http://www.pinterest.com/thellgardener/mourning-doves-in-trees-nearby-my-urban-nyc-garden/
  
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- Sandy Harmon on Jan 21, 2015
  @TheLastLeafGardener I have read in a couple of places that the rock pigeons can be very aggressive toward the mourning doves, so that may very well be the reason you aren't seeing the doves as much.
  
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Jodi on Jan 13, 2015
Definitely a Northern Mockingbird.

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- TheLastLeafGardener on Jan 20, 2015
  @Jodi Thanks for taking the time to comment! Sadly the Northern mockingbird (at least to my knowedge) has not returned! Do you know if pigeons intimidate Northern Mockingbirds? A few pigeons have now learned to eat from my the feeders I have hanging on my Christmas tree which I mentioned on TLLG's FB Page @https://www.facebook.com/TheLastLeafGardener/posts/772200836162625 Before this, the pigeons ate what dropped to the ground. I've never been able to deter pigeons but I do not let this stop me from trying to feed the smaller songbirds during the cold winter months!
  
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- Jodi on Jan 20, 2015
  @TheLastLeafGardener I don't think pigeons are known agressors. My dad kept them as a kid and he fed other birds as well. You don't have a hawk hanging around do you?
  
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- TheLastLeafGardener on Jan 20, 2015
  @Jodi I live near Central Park so there could be hawks around. Someone who lives in a building adjacent to me has bird's eye view of my garden from her picture window. She mentioned she'd has seen a hawk on the roof top of the building next to me. I have often thought that was a reason that small song birds and cardinals have stopped visiting me.
  
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- Jodi on Jan 21, 2015
  @TheLastLeafGardener We feed literally hundreds of birds daily in our yard. Long story but I buy a ton (2000 pounds) of seeds, etc at a time :) Hawks won't cause your birds to stop coming but they will hide or fly off when they know one is nearby. Hawks will grab a smaller bird for a meal. Gross huh! Once the hawk leaves the birds know it's safe to come back to the feeders so anytime your garden looks empty that might be the reason.
  
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- TheLastLeafGardener on Feb 03, 2015
  @Jodi I've been trying to reply to your comment for a number of days but have had numerous problems with HT! Thank you SOOOO much for taking the time to comment! Bwt, I'd love to hear your "long" sorry as I'm always interested in folk's experience re birds and feeders! IF HT won't allow the length of your piece, pls copy and paste it into an email and send it to TLLG's FB Page @ https://www.facebook.com/TheLastLeafGardener Where are you located in Illinois? My sister lives in a northwest suburb (boondocks) of Illinois, are you on that area? Re hawks, some one who lives in a high-rise bldg near to me told me she sees a hawk staking out my garden and I'm keeping in mind what you have said about how a hawk will impact the visits of other birds to my garden.
  
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- Jodi on Feb 03, 2015
  @TheLastLeafGardener It's really not that long of a story. My husband is obsessed with critters! When the kids became teenagers, he took their wooden swing set apart and made an overground system that allowed him to hang dozens of bird feeders and also allowed the squirrels to go from the fruit trees to the garage roof to their feeders without even touching ground if they didn't want to. We currently have 9 squirrels that were born here and continue to live here with new babies. We go through a few hundred pounds of seeds for the birds weekly. Hubby gets pecans from a roadside stand in Georgia for the squirrels. Also buys ear corn and sunflower seeds for them. Someone once said we could be upper middle class if not for the critters and grandkids, lol. Oh did I mention the dozen elaborate birdhouses under the awning on my front porch? I love very rural and about an hour plus south of Chicago in a tiny town.
  
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Libby Yuewhoo on Jan 14, 2015
Love your wee garden and a feather in your cap for providing nourishment to all the local and visiting feathered friends. Think what you would have missed if you hadn't hung out your suet and seed cages. Happy New Year.

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- TheLastLeafGardener on Jan 20, 2015
  @Libby Yuewhoo Thanks for your kind words about my garden. A few pigeons have now learned to eat from my the feeders I have hanging on my CANADIAN Christmas tree which I mentioned on TLLG's FB Page @https://www.facebook.com/TheLastLeafGardener/posts/772200836162625 Before this, the pigeons ate what dropped to the ground. I've never been able to deter pigeons but I do not let this stop me from trying to feed the smaller songbirds during the cold winter months! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO!
  
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Joyce on Jan 20, 2015
I don't know anything about pigeon behavior but it is winter and food is scarce. This sets the scene for food fights of sorts. Perhaps the pigeons can't wait for enough food to drop for them so they go to the source. Always fun to watch bird behavior.

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- TheLastLeafGardener on Jan 20, 2015
  @Joyce I often joke about birds "catching crumbs that fall to the floor," for in the Bible, a persistent person is told she is not too take certain "crumbs" AND her reply is "even dogs get the crumbs which fall to the floor." Her response is rewarded as it is perceived as perseverance. And I must say pigeons are quite tenacious. I've tried many methods to protect the songbirds food from being gorged upon by pigeons, but my efforts were not successful as evidenced by the following entries here on HT: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/garden/catching-the-crumbs-that-fall-to-the-floor-follow-up-8-22-s-post-2165024 http://www.hometalk.com/diy/catching-crumbs-that-fall-to-the-floor-followup-2-to-8-22-s-post-2213646 http://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/garden/catching-crumbs-that-fall-to-the-floor-followup-3-to-8-22-s-post-2243447 http://www.hometalk.com/diy/catching-crumbs-that-fall-to-the-floor-followup-4-to-8-22-s-post-2329947 http://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/garden/addendum-to-a-post-bird-feeder-protector-2552736 You are SOOOO right that it is fun to watch bird behavior. And birds watch the behavior of other birds too. That's how the pigeons learn how the feeders work! As I previously stated on FB today, my visiting pigeons have now have learned to directly access suet from the feeders on the Christmas tree as seen in these pictures! More Info at https://www.facebook.com/TheLastLeafGardener/posts/772200836162625
  
  Catching "Crumbs That Fall to the Floor" Followup #1 (To 8-22's Post)
  
  Catching "Crumbs That Fall to the Floor" Followup #2 (To 8-22's Post)
  
  Catching "Crumbs That Fall to the Floor" Followup #3 (To 8-22's Post)
  
  Catching "Crumbs That Fall to the Floor" Followup #4 (To 8-22's Post)
  
  Addendum to a Post (Bird Feeder Protector)
  
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Joyce on Jan 20, 2015
We have the exact same situation with squirrels where I live. They are way smarter than we give them credit for. Enjoy your visitors!

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- TheLastLeafGardener on Jan 21, 2015
  @Joyce I haven't had squirrels but I do know of many folks who experience squirrels, deer, and even bears that take over bird feeders in the way that 'my" pigeons do. It's al part of nature's chain and I realize if I want to attract certain birds, I have to put up with the others! I do enjoy the antics of my birds and it sounds as if you do too. Btw, did you know that today is squirrel appreciation day? http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/January/squirrelappreciation.htm
  
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Joyce on Jan 21, 2015
I didn't know that it was Squirrel Appreciation Day. I wonder if they know that. I will toss a few nuts their way and that will make them happy! My birdfeeder needs filling as well. I have a heated bird bath. It's like a spa out there for the birds on my deck! Have gotten some fabulous photos! Last year a big flock of Bluebirds came for a few days in February. You should keep an eye out for them as well. 2 came for a visit in early January this year. I love them and they love my birdbath! It's quite enjoyable for the winter.

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- TheLastLeafGardener on Jan 22, 2015
  @Joyce Hope the squirrels appreciated your acknowledgement on their big day! I know of a squirrel who valued the attention. https://www.facebook.com/muttscomics/photos/a.285217254745.187175.73860514745/10153524232164746/?type=1&theater
  
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Joyce on Jan 22, 2015
Thanks, I enjoyed the pictures! Have a good one!

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