When do catbirds leave District of Columbia?

Most Gray Catbirds have left District of Columbia by mid October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early November.

When is the best time to see catbirds in District of Columbia?

The Gray Catbird is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 59% of District of Columbia checklists.

Gray Catbird · Dumetella carolinensis

When Do Catbirds Arrive in District of Columbia?

Photo: Melanie Gaddy, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

Gray Catbirds reach District of Columbia in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of May (59% 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 59% of District of Columbia checklists.

Janrare
Febnot usually seen
Marnot usually seen
Aprcommon
Maypeak season
Juncommon
Julcommon
Augpeak season
Seppeak season
Octpeak season
Novrare
Decrare

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

Catbirds in District of Columbia, 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	59%

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 District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia

Best counties for Gray Catbird

Share of checklists at the peak

District of Columbia CountyBest the second week of May · 5262 checklists that week, 121,721 in all59%

Common questions

When do catbirds arrive in District of Columbia?: Gray Catbirds reach District of Columbia in mid April, are common by late April, peak in the second week of May (59% of checklists), and most are gone by mid October.
When do catbirds leave District of Columbia?: Most Gray Catbirds have left District of Columbia by mid October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early November.
When is the best time to see catbirds in District of Columbia?: The Gray Catbird is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 59% of District of Columbia checklists.