Mockingbird vs. Catbird — What's the Difference?

A North American songbird known for mimicking the sounds of other birds and noises.

More discreet in breeding, focusing on concealing nests.

Belonging to the Mimidae family, it is adaptable to varied environments.

A North American songbird in the Mimidae family, known for its cat-like calls.

Recognized by its plain gray color and occasional white patches.

Prefers to reside in dense shrubbery, avoiding open spaces.

Consumes a varied diet but particularly favors insects and berries.

Favors fruits and berries, with a seasonal diet change.

Aggressive in territory defense, especially during breeding seasons.

Exhibits a slate-gray coloration with a distinctive black cap.

Mockingbirds are a group of New World passerine birds from the family Mimidae. They are best known for the habit of some species mimicking the songs of other birds and the sounds of insects and amphibians, often loudly and in rapid succession.

Several unrelated groups of songbirds are called catbirds because of their wailing calls, which resemble a cat's meowing. The genus name Ailuroedus likewise is from the Greek for "cat-singer" or "cat-voiced".Australasian catbirds are the genera Ailuroedus and the monotypic Scenopooetes.

Any of several species of New World birds of the family Mimidae, especially Mimus polyglottos, a gray and white bird of North America and the Caribbean islands, noted for the ability to mimic the sounds of other birds.

A songbird (Dumetella carolinensis) of North and Central America having predominantly slate plumage and a cry like the mew of a cat.

A long-tailed American songbird of the Mimidae family, noted for its ability to mimic calls of other birds.

Any of various other species of birds having a similar cry, especially one of several birds of Australia and New Guinea related to the bowerbirds.

(archaic) tui

Either of two species of American mockingbird relatives, the grey catbird, Dumetella carolinensis, and the black catbird, Melanoptila glabrirostris.

A long-tailed gray-and-white songbird of North America (Mimus polyglottos), remarkable for its exact imitations of the notes of other birds. Its back is gray; the tail and wings are blackish, with a white patch on each wing; the outer tail feathers are partly white. Originally its range was confined mostly to the southern states, but by late 19th century it had migrated as far north as New York. The name is also applied to other members of thee same and related genera, found in Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies, such as the blue mockingbird of Mexico, Melanotis caerulescens.

Any of four species of Australasian bowerbirds of the genera Ailuroedus and Scenopoeetes.

Long-tailed gray-and-white songbird of the southern United States able to mimic songs of other birds

A babbler-like bird from eastern Africa, Parophasma galinieri.

An American bird (Galeoscoptes Carolinensis), allied to the mocking bird, and like it capable of imitating the notes of other birds, but less perfectly. Its note resembles at times the mewing of a cat.

Any of various birds of the Australian region whose males build ornamented structures resembling bowers in order to attract females

North American songbird whose call resembles a cat's mewing

Mockingbirds mimic a wider range of sounds, including non-bird sounds, whereas catbirds primarily mimic other birds with some unique mewing sounds.

Catbirds prefer dense shrubbery and wooded areas, avoiding open spaces.

Mockingbirds are common in open and semi-open areas across North America.

Catbirds primarily consume fruits and berries, supplemented by insects.

Catbirds use dense foliage to hide their nests from predators and rarely leave them unguarded.

Mockingbirds have a more varied diet including more insect consumption, while catbirds focus on fruits and seasonal berries.

Both belong to the Mimidae family, known for their mimicry skills.

Catbirds are more secretive, focusing on concealing their nests and being less vocal.

Mockingbirds eat insects, fruits, and occasionally other small creatures.

Mockingbirds are plain gray with white flight patches, while catbirds are slate-gray with a black cap.

Mockingbirds are notably aggressive, using loud calls and physical displays to protect their area.

Mockingbirds are more commonly found in urban areas due to their adaptability.

Both help control insect populations and disperse seeds through their diets.

Mockingbirds tend to stay in their range year-round, whereas catbirds may migrate to warmer climates during winter.

Mockingbirds are vocal and visible during breeding, using songs to attract mates and deter rivals.