Have not been aware of catbirds doing distraction
displays, but that may be what I saw this morning.
From the back porch, saw a catbird with its cheek
on the patio, its wings outstretched, moving its tail
up and down feebly, even as I approached it within
a dozen feet or so. I went to get Paul, and
returned in time to watch it fly away. Shortly
afterwards, I saw two catbirds in the yard, one holding
food in its mouth. Only then did I notice a dead
catbird on the patio next to the house; a young bird,
with a rim of yellow on its beak. I looked and
listened for other juveniles briefly, but was unable
to pick up any in the yard. There was some
begging I couldn't identify going on next door.
Elise Kreiss
Baltimore City |