WhenToBird

Gray Catbird · Dumetella carolinensis

When Do Catbirds Arrive in Texas?

Adult Gray Catbird
Photo: Melanie Gaddy, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

Gray Catbirds reach Texas in the second week of September, are common by mid September, peak in late April (17% of checklists), and most are gone by late May.

When to look

First arrivalsSep 8-14the second week of September
Common bySep 15-21mid September
PeakApr 22-30late April
Most gone byMay 22-31late May

Best: late April. First arrivals the second week of September; most are gone by late May. Peak: on about 17% of Texas checklists.

  1. Janrare
  2. Febrare
  3. Maruncommon
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junnot usually seen
  7. Julnot usually seen
  8. Augrare
  9. Sepuncommon
  10. Octuncommon
  11. Novuncommon
  12. Decuncommon

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

Catbirds in Texas, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Gray CatbirdSep 8-14Sep 15-21Apr 22-30May 22-3117%
0%5%10%15%20%Gray CatbirdJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • 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 Texas 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 Texas

Best counties for Gray Catbird

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Jefferson CountyBest late April · 3142 checklists that week, 23,503 in all45%
  2. Galveston CountyBest late April · 16711 checklists that week, 129,637 in all44%
  3. Brazoria CountyBest late April · 2405 checklists that week, 38,709 in all34%
  4. Cameron CountyBest early May · 3158 checklists that week, 117,506 in all34%
  5. Angelina CountyBest early May · 313 checklists that week, 10,009 in all32%
  6. Aransas CountyBest late April · 1577 checklists that week, 30,389 in all31%

Common questions

When do catbirds arrive in Texas?
Gray Catbirds reach Texas in the second week of September, are common by mid September, peak in late April (17% of checklists), and most are gone by late May.
When do catbirds leave Texas?
Most Gray Catbirds have left Texas by late May, when reports fall below half their usual rate.
When is the best time to see catbirds in Texas?
The Gray Catbird is reported most often in late April, on about 17% of Texas checklists.