Catbird

/ˈkætˌbɜːrd/ noun

Definition

A medium-sized North American songbird with dark gray plumage and a distinctive call that sounds like a cat's meow.

Etymology

From 'cat' + 'bird,' a compound name describing the bird's characteristic vocalization. Called the 'catbird' because its call mimics a cat's meow, not because of its appearance.

Kelly Says

The gray catbird is basically nature's trickster—when you hear a cat meowing from a bush, it's usually a bird pranking you, and they're excellent mimics that can imitate dozens of other bird and animal sounds.

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