South · Mississippi Flyway

Are There Gray Catbirds in Tennessee?

Yes, but uncommon — Gray Catbirds occur in Tennessee mainly from May to October. Dumetella carolinensis · Mimidae

UncommonAbundance
Summer breederSeasonal status
6Active months
33,271Observations

Is the Gray Catbird Found in Tennessee?

Gray Catbirds do occur in Tennessee, but they are considered uncommon. Encountering one requires patience and the right habitat during the breeding season.

Where to see them instead: the nearest states where Gray Catbirds occur regularly are Kentucky (about 170 miles away), Alabama (about 220 miles away) and Georgia (about 270 miles away).

Often mistaken for Gray Catbirds in Tennessee: Northern Mockingbird and Brown Thrasher — these occur regularly in Tennessee, so compare them carefully before concluding you saw a Gray Catbird.

Gray Catbird is a North American backyard bird.

In Tennessee, this species is classified as uncommon. It visits during the breeding season, typically spring through summer. The best months to observe this bird are May, June, July, August, September, October. Peak activity occurs in September.

Monthly Activity — Gray Catbird in Tennessee

Relative frequency of observations by month. Higher bars indicate peak periods for this species.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
RegularSeasonalRare

Identification

FamilyMimidae
View full Gray Catbird profile →

Best Time to See Gray Catbird in Tennessee

January
Low
February
Low
March
Low
April
Active
May
Peak
June
Peak
July
Peak
August
Peak
September
Peak
October
Peak
November
Low
December
Low

Other birds in Tennessee

Birds you might also encounter in Tennessee.

Gray Catbird in other states

Gray Catbird in Tennessee: Quick Facts

The Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) is an uncommon bird in Tennessee. It is classified as a summer breeder in the state, falling within the South region and the Mississippi Flyway migration corridor.

The best months to spot this species in Tennessee are May, June, July, August, September, October. For birders in Nashville and throughout Tennessee, knowing the seasonal patterns of Gray Catbird can help plan birding trips and backyard feeding strategies.

Use the monthly activity chart above to plan your birding outings, and explore other bird species found in Tennessee using the related birds section.