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Re: question for the experts

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Norm Saunders

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Fri, 26 May 2006 11:32:45 +0000

Emily Wilberg asks about Gray Catbirds eating seed.  I often have catbirds foraging under and around my feeders, always, I assumed, looking for insects amidst the shells, etc.  However, since you posed your question to the experts, Emily, I decided to check with them.  

According to The Birder's Handbook, by Ehrlich, Dobkin, and Wheye, Gray Catbird diet "includes spiders, berries, occasionally more than 50% fruit.  Young fed almost 100% insects."

The Birder's Handbook is a wonderful reference because the authors don't hesitate to admit that there is a lot not yet known about birds (even many of the common ones)--they put ? marks where they have been unable to find the answers for specific items.  In the Gray Catbird  statement, they show no such hesitation with regard to their diet statement so I feel confident of my initial notion that the birds are foraging amongszt the litter for insects.

Best,
Norm Saunders
West Ocean City, MD