The spotted catbird is not at all greedy, even though it seems like it, with its robust figure and army like precision raids on the feeder. I have a soft spot for the catbird, they seem to work so hard, and have some endearing habits.
They are the only member of the bowerbird family to form a monogamous pair and the males help raise the chicks. In the video below that I took in February this year, a pair of birds have discovered that I have put out some fruit, and are calling out frantically to another bird (possibly a youngster?). The excited hopping back and forth between the tree trunk and stem is something I have also seen when the male is chasing the female.
In the second part of the video you see a catbird taking away some banana. They can stuff an awful lot into their beaks. I have seen the birds deposit their haul into the fork of a tree, and nip off a nearby leaf to cover it, then come back later to retrieve it. Unfortunately sometimes an astute honeyeater is watching, and will steal it away.
Spotted Catbird taking a grape.
Video of Catbirds calling to each other.
If you cannot see the video, view on my youtube channel here.
I love catbirds too! They have such gorgeous plumage and interesting personalities. And they’re also very determined. I’ve seen one try to carry away half an orange. Didn’t quite make it, much to the bird’s disappointment. Quarter of an orange, no probs. Half an orange, just too ambitious.
Yes, the thought of that makes me smile!