Every summer, since moving into my current house four years ago, I have been hearing an anguished sounding cry coming from somewhere in my back yard. While it’s not something I hear every day, I would hear it enough to bother me. It didn’t bother me in an annoyed sense, but rather in a concerned sense.
The only way I can describe the cry is that it is filled with anguish - the sound of a helpless kitten crying out for its momma or an animal full of pain and sorrow. Could it be a squirrel? A baby bird? About all that I could tell is that it was coming from something small.
Over these past four years, I’ve marveled at the diversity of birds that inhabit the area around my house. Until I actually started paying attention, I had no idea I was surrounded by so many different kinds. And, even after four years of paying attention, I still seem to discover a new feathered friend every Spring.
This year was no different. A couple of months ago I started to notice these beautiful, sleek-looking grey birds visiting the area around my patio. There are two of them, but I’m not sure which one is the male and which is the female. Their look is similar though one is a bit plumper than the other.
The persistent pair have really been enjoying the amenities I have to offer - the pieces of walnuts and pecans, the blueberries, and the dish of refreshing water. At this point, I probably can’t ignore the social aspect of it either. My yard has become a gathering place. It appears that tales of my patio have been spread far and wide.
One day, while standing out on the patio, I heard it. The anguished cry. Except, this time, it sounded like it was coming from the birch tree right in front of me. I scanned the tree for any sign of life but all I could see was one of those grey birds perched on a branch. Surely the bird can’t be making that sound, I thought.
Right on cue, the grey bird let out an anguished cry as if to say, “I am making that sound, and don’t call me Shirley.” Mystery solved!
Using my trusty guide by Stan Tekiela, I identified the new residents as Grey Catbirds. My next mission was to get some good video footage. I stress the word “good” because this bird’s behavior can be best described in one word…restless.
Grey Catbirds don’t like to stay in one spot for too long, instead choosing to hop from branch to branch every couple of seconds before flying to a different bush or tree and repeating the behavior. This restlessness made capturing it on film very frustrating, to say the least. However, I eventually noticed a pattern. The catbird would hop and flutter around in basically the same sequence every time. By predicting its movement, I was able to get sufficient useable footage.
The coup de grace was when I actually captured the catbird casting its signature cry, as heard below...(I couldn't make this a short because of the aspect ratio, as this was filmed with a camera, not vertical with a phone.)
Grey Catbirds are named for their catlike mewing, but are also known for their long songs that can last up to ten minutes. These songs are much more musical and pleasant to the ear. In fact, Grey Catbirds are relatives of mockingbirds and have the same ability to copy the sounds of other birds. They can use those sounds to make up their own songs. That’s pretty cool.
New discoveries are often a time of joy, especially when they solve a mystery. Now, whenever I hear that distinct anguished cry, I won’t feel the slightest bit of concern. Instead, I’ll smile knowing that a new friend is nearby.
Wherever we are, we are surrounded by nature. It's always trying to communicate with us. Take time to notice. #NoticeNature.
