catbird

noun

cat·​bird ˈkat-ˌbərd 

: an American songbird (Dumetella carolinensis) that is dark gray in color with a black cap and reddish coverts under the tail and is related to the mockingbird

Examples of catbird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dohrn, who is the son of the longtime radicals Bernardine Dohrn and Bill Ayers and who has taught for several years at Northwestern University, certainly has enjoyed a catbird’s seat on the culture wars of academia. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

The catbird in the following photo was in shadow with the sun behind the trees, for example. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026

Be prepared for some competition; elderberries are a favorite of warblers, orioles, tanagers, and catbirds. — Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026

Watch for green herons at the lake edge and gray catbirds in the lakeside shrubs. — Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1709, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing catbird

• catbird seat
• (sitting) in the catbird seat

Rhymes for catbird

• absurd
• averred
• bluebird
• byword
• catchword
• concurred
• conferred
• cowbird
• cowherd
• crossword
• deferred
• demurred

Kids Definition

catbird

noun

cat·​bird ˈkat-ˌbərd 

: a dark gray American songbird with a black cap and a reddish underside of the base of the tail