Short Bird Haiku Poem About the Gray Catbird

Nature-Inspired Bird Haiku – 5-7-5 Poem About the Gray Catbird

Gray catbirds don’t always make the best first impression. With their scratchy “mew” calls echoing through the trees, it’s easy to write them off as noisy or annoying. But behind that raspy voice hides a songbird with a beautiful, complex melody. It’s one that reminds us not to judge too quickly. This haiku celebrates the catbird’s secret songs and hidden depths.

Meowing in trees,
Cats that fly with feathered wings—
Songbirds with secrets.

Justin Farley

Explore My Full Bird Haiku Collection

I used to think catbirds were just noisy backyard birds until I really listened. Their “mew” calls grab your attention, sure, but it’s the layered songs they weave in between that stick with you. Watching them reminds me how easy it is to misjudge—how often we label what we don’t take the time to really hear.

Click Here For My Collection Of Nature Poems!

The Gray Catbird is well-known for mimicking the mew of a cat. Here are some additional quick, fun facts you might not know:

Interesting Bird Facts About Catbirds

1. Gray catbirds are excellent mimics, weaving together songs from other birds, frogs, and even mechanical sounds.
2. They’re named for their distinctive cat-like “mew” call.
3. A single gray catbird song can last up to 10 minutes and feature over 100 different sounds.
4. They belong to the Mimidae family, alongside mockingbirds and thrashers.
5. Their plain gray coloring hides a secret—bright rust-colored feathers underneath their tails.
6. Catbirds are shy and prefer dense shrubs and forest edges where they can stay hidden.
7. They often return to the same breeding grounds year after year.
8. Despite their secretive habits, they are bold in defending nests and territory.
9. They primarily eat insects and berries, helping with seed dispersal in forests.
10. Are good at detecting cowbirds eggs in their nests and will puncture and throw them out.

What did you find interesting about this bird? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

NATURE | SPIRITUALITY | MENTAL HEALTH

Join my newsletter to receive new poems along with reflections on nature, spirituality, and mental health (usually a few times a month). My emails are intentional and never spammy—just words to carry with you.

Enjoyed this 5 7 5 nature haiku poem about the catbird? Here are a few other haiku poems about birds as well as all my online nature poetry.

You can find the rest of my poems about nature that I’ve posted online HERE