You expect them in the cool mornings of Springtime. New baby birds flitting back and forth, strengthening tiny wings, while parent birds watch from a nearby branch. Last week, early on an already smoldering Summer morning, when windows were steamed over from the air conditioned chill inside, a tiny visitor sat on the wicker chair watching me.
Unexpected this late in the year, at first I wasn't certain of the breed because long tail feathers have yet to grow, but it's definitely a Gray Catbird. It made tiny cheeps and before long it's mommy showed up, a lovely black crowned, slate-gray grownup Catbird checking on her youngster, and they both hopped over to the potting table. Luckily my camera was handy so I caught these images through the hazy dining room window.
A secretive bird that the Chippewa Indians named 'Bird That Cries With Grief' due to its raspy call. The call sounds like a house cat mewing, hence its common name.
I'm hoping this baby makes it through these torrid Summer days - it looked healthy and has it's parent to lead it to the bird bath which is filled with fresh water each day. I've read that Catbirds often become residents of a single garden for many years if the undergrowth is thick and brushy. Hopefully this one will move into our heavily shrubbed area permanently.
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