Gray Catbird

Description:

A distinctive mimid more often heard than seen. Unique plumage of dark gray w/ black cap and black tail and chestnut undertail coverts shown here; both sexes similar. It makes a nasal like cat~meow + a various mix of melodious nasal squeeky notes normally made from dense under growth.

Habitat:

It is very secretive, however common. Breeding along dense foliage in Mountain streams in the West ~ that'd be here in Montana! However this one in the first 4 pix was at my feeder outside my kitchen window much to my delight. Hung around for a cpl days then, adios.

Notes:

The first four pix are taken June 1st 2011, and the last one on July 1st along the Yellowstone River under incredible water pressure at the same time the Exxon Pipeline was Negligently if not intentionally broken 9 miles up stream.