When do catbirds leave Virginia?

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

When is the best time to see catbirds in Virginia?

The Gray Catbird is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 42% of Virginia checklists.

Gray Catbird · Dumetella carolinensis

When Do Catbirds Arrive in Virginia?

Photo: Melanie Gaddy, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

Gray Catbirds reach Virginia in the second week of April, are common by mid April, peak in the second week of May (42% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of October.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 8-14the second week of April

Common byApr 15-21mid April

PeakMay 8-14the second week of May

Most gone byOct 8-14the second week of October

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals the second week of April; most are gone by the second week of October. Peak: on about 42% of Virginia checklists.

Janrare
Febnot usually seen
Marnot usually seen
Aprcommon
Maypeak season
Juncommon
Julcommon
Augcommon
Seppeak season
Octcommon
Novrare
Decrare

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

Catbirds in Virginia, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Gray Catbird	Apr 8-14	Apr 15-21	May 8-14	Oct 8-14	42%

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 Virginia 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 Virginia

Best counties for Gray Catbird

Share of checklists at the peak

Martinsville CountyBest mid May · 32 checklists that week, 1,842 in all88%
Manassas CountyBest early July · 46 checklists that week, 2,729 in all86%
Falls Church CountyBest the second week of May · 92 checklists that week, 1,687 in all83%
Harrisonburg CountyBest the second week of May · 402 checklists that week, 8,395 in all78%
Alexandria CountyBest the second week of May · 1441 checklists that week, 22,325 in all77%
Radford CountyBest the second week of May · 460 checklists that week, 21,965 in all74%

Common questions

When do catbirds arrive in Virginia?: Gray Catbirds reach Virginia in the second week of April, are common by mid April, peak in the second week of May (42% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of October.
When do catbirds leave Virginia?: Most Gray Catbirds have left Virginia by the second week of October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late November.
When is the best time to see catbirds in Virginia?: The Gray Catbird is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 42% of Virginia checklists.