Species BirdsBlack Catbird

Black Catbird

Melanoptila glabrirostris

UncommonBird
Illustration of Black Catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris)

The Black Catbird is a medium-sized bird with a sleek black body and a distinctive, cat-like call. It is often found foraging in dense vegetation.

Habitat
Lowland forests and edges.
Diet
Fruits, insects, and small invertebrates.
How common
Uncommon

Not certain it is a Black Catbird? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Black Catbird sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Black Catbird? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Black Catbird is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love birds? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More birds

Black Guan
Black Guan
Chamaepetes unicolor
Black Guillemot
Black Guillemot
Cepphus grylle
Black Oystercatcher
Black Oystercatcher
Haematopus bachmani
Black Phoebe
Black Phoebe
Sayornis nigricans
Black Scoter
Black Scoter
Melanitta americana
Black Skimmer
Black Skimmer
Rynchops niger
Black Swan
Black Swan
Cygnus atratus
Black Swift
Black Swift
Cypseloides niger