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Catbird: meaning, definitions and examples

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catbird

 

[ ˈkætbɜːrd ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

bird species

The catbird is a medium-sized songbird belonging to the family Mimidae, which also includes mockingbirds and thrushes. Known for its distinct call that resembles a cat's meow, the catbird is mainly found in North and Central America. It typically has a gray plumage, with a black cap on its head and reddish undertail coverts. Catbirds are often found in gardens and shrubby areas, where they build their nests. Their diet primarily consists of fruits, insects, and berries.

Synonyms

Mimidae, mockingbird

Examples of usage

  • The catbird sat quietly in the bush.
  • Listen to the catbird's unique call.
  • A catbird frequented my backyard last summer.

Translations

Translations of the word "catbird" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pássaro gato

🇮🇳 बिल्ली चिड़िया

🇩🇪 Katze Vogel

🇮🇩 burung kucing

🇺🇦 котяча пташка

🇵🇱 ptak kot

🇯🇵 キャットバード

🇫🇷 oiseau-chat

🇪🇸 pájaro gato

🇹🇷 kedi kuşu

🇰🇷 고양이새

🇸🇦 طائر القط

🇨🇿 kočka pták

🇸🇰 mačací vták

🇨🇳 猫鸟

🇸🇮 mačja ptica

🇮🇸 köttufugl

🇰🇿 мысық құсы

🇬🇪 კატის ფრინველი

🇦🇿 pişik quşu

🇲🇽 pájaro gato

Etymology

The term 'catbird' originates from the late 19th century, derived from the bird's unique call which sounds similar to a cat's meow. The first parts of the word come from 'cat', which traces back to the Old English 'catt', while 'bird' is derived from the Old English 'bridde'. The association with cats highlights the bird's vocal mimicry abilities, which are a notable characteristic within the Mimidae family. Catbirds were documented as early as the 18th century in North America, and their name reflects both their physical appearance and their distinctive vocalizations.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,707, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.