Dogwoods are a favorite perch from which gray catbirds loudly proclaim their territory. While named for the cat-like sounds they make, their repertoires are much larger. Like mockingbirds, catbirds string together both musical and mechanical sounds they’ve heard to create their own unique songs that can last for several minutes. Catbirds prefer to stay near shrubs and small trees rather than out in the open. There, their gray color blends in, but can’t camouflage their loud personalities. In the spring and summer, gray catbirds dine on insects and fruit, sometimes becoming quite a nuisance for those who are cultivating their own berries.