Species-Specific Management (SSM)

Catbird

The catbird (Dumettella carolinensis), named for its mewing call (although it has many varied voices), is a robin-size gray bird of the forest and field edge. Each animal species has very special requirements. The following recommendations are for increasing the number of catbirds.

1. Manage for many tree species in stands. Bird richness, the total number of bird species, the catbord being one, will not be high if a stand consists of only one or two tree species.
2. Work to produce contrasting edges. A contrasting edge is one in which two distinct areas meet, for example, a 50-year-old stand next to a pasture area.
3. Manage for thickets, dense, brushy, and shrubby areas.
4. Manage for the understory. Catbirds need a lot of understory for nesting. By managing for understory, you should open spaces in the overstory.
5. After opening spaces in the overstory, leave downed trees. The decaying trees will promote insect population growth. (Insects are one food of the catbird.)
6. For insect growth, managing for 2-5 snags per acre is another option. Creating snags will also increase habitat diversity.
7. Protect water sources in the forest. These include natural waterholes and springs. Small ponds or puddles also serve as water sources. These places may act as a place for bird watchers to gather.
8. Minimize insecticide use. Catbirds eat insects.
9. Minimize herbicide use. Catbirds need a lot of understory cover in which to nest and feed.
10. In feeders (which might be used in critical areas for population increases), place dried fruits, currants, puffed wheat (in milk), suet (specific recipes are available), bananas, raisins, and cornbread. Catbirds will rely on the feeders; therefore, the feeders must be maintained from fall to spring.
11. Zone the area for no pets. Hikers often like to walk their dogs, but these dogs are not advantageous to the catbirds.
12. Plant berry-producing shrub/vine species. Species which produce favorite foods for the catbird include strawberry, blueberry, grapes, and blackberries.
13. Plant small trees which produce fruit, such as red cedar, dogwood, flowering crabapple, holly, and elderberry.
14. Place fence-type posts or conspicuous territorial perches in grassy areas. These posts can be bought or made by toping trees and killing the trunk.
15. Plant and manage for multiflora rose and other dense thorny growth. These plants are favorite nesting sites for the catbird. Manage greenbriar (Smilax) thickets. Catbirds will nest in this vine and the nest predation rate will be low.
16. Make clearings around forest edges. In these clearings, plant shrubby areas for nesting and for increasing edge.
17. Shrubs should average 1.8 meters high and 2.7 meters wide for optimal nesting and foraging.
18. In the overstory, manage for elm and honey locust. Red mulberry also will be utilized.
19. In some areas, have compost piles. These areas will promote diverse insect population growth.
20. Used taped calls to encourage catbird to occupy the area.
21. Encourage birdwatchers and hikers to use your area. You can even turn select area into a high-density demonstration catbird area.
22. Monitor the population changes in response to cost-effective practices.

A contribution of Judy A. Takats (1992), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321

Submitted by Robert H. Giles, Jr.

This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.