Catbirds are fun birds to have around and they're always welcome at our suet. The downside of having an accessible suet block is that Starlings (annoying) and Grackles (even more annoying because of the way they use their saw-like bills to hack off huge chunks) can partake at will. And then there's the issue of Squirrels, which sometimes have to be bribed away with peanuts and other treats. But it's still worth it to be able to allow Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and other species to have access to suet during times, as it seems this year, when insects are in short supply. I haven't seen any ticks this year (in itself, a welcome first), and only a couple of mosquitoes... very few moths on the window screens at night, not even many house flies vs. past years.
Catbirds have been nesting fixtures around the yard for several years now, I think in large part because of the suet feeder. They have such colorful personalities and vocal talents. Recently the male has been singing from a lilac bush at odd times during the night. Last night he was doing a perfect, but louder imitation of a Gray Treefrog, mixed in with other mimicry.
Sean Smith
Hiram
On Tue, May 26, 2026, 5:47 PM Michelle Gregoire <m4gregoire@gmail.com> wrote:
--We have a suet cage with a roof so only woodpeckers, nuthatches and other birds that are comfortable upside down are able to feed from it - keeps the starlings away. A very cleverGray Catbird has learned how to jump from the deck railing and hover for a second, long enough to reach up and grab a bit from the underside of the cage. Perhaps it learned to hover by watching the hummingbirds (just kidding)?Michelle GregoireWestbrook
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