When do catbirds leave Delaware?

Most Gray Catbirds have left Delaware by mid October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of November.

When is the best time to see catbirds in Delaware?

The Gray Catbird is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 51% of Delaware checklists.

Gray Catbird · Dumetella carolinensis

When Do Catbirds Arrive in Delaware?

Photo: Melanie Gaddy, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

Gray Catbirds reach Delaware in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of May (51% of checklists), and most are gone by mid October.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 15-21mid April

Common byApr 22-30late April

PeakMay 8-14the second week of May

Most gone byOct 15-21mid October

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals mid April; most are gone by mid October. Peak: on about 51% of Delaware checklists.

Janrare
Febrare
Marnot usually seen
Aprcommon
Maypeak season
Junpeak season
Julcommon
Augcommon
Seppeak season
Octpeak season
Novrare
Decrare

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Catbirds in Delaware, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Gray Catbird	Apr 15-21	Apr 22-30	May 8-14	Oct 15-21	51%

Gray Catbird

Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Delaware that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Delaware

Best counties for Gray Catbird

Share of checklists at the peak

New Castle CountyBest the second week of May · 2922 checklists that week, 72,140 in all71%
Kent CountyBest late June · 595 checklists that week, 36,693 in all46%
Sussex CountyBest the second week of May · 2987 checklists that week, 91,027 in all34%

Common questions

When do catbirds arrive in Delaware?: Gray Catbirds reach Delaware in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of May (51% of checklists), and most are gone by mid October.
When do catbirds leave Delaware?: Most Gray Catbirds have left Delaware by mid October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of November.
When is the best time to see catbirds in Delaware?: The Gray Catbird is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 51% of Delaware checklists.