Green catbirds
What do green catbirds look - and sound - like?
The green catbird, another member of the bowerbird family, gets its name from its cat-like wailing call. Males and females are various shades of green, flecked with black on the head and face; and white on the nape, neck and wing tips. Their eyes are red.
Where do they live?
In NSW, green catbirds live in the tropical and subtropical rainforests and adjacent tall forests along the east coast and adjacent ranges. They can be found as far south as the Illawarra region. Green catbirds are mainly fruit eaters, but they will also eat insects and their larvae. Occasionally they will extend their diet to leaves, shoots and flower heads, frogs, and baby birds.
What happens during the breeding season?
Green catbirds do not build bowers, although they may clear an area and lay leaves down in it. It is thought that the birds pair for life. Courtship is simple, with the male chasing the female from branch to branch, making clicking and rasping sounds. When not chasing, the male preens himself, feeds, and wails. Often, he holds coloured leaves or fruit in his beak while displaying.
Only the female green catbird builds the nest and incubates the eggs, although both sexes feed the young. They defend the nest by feigning injury, dropping to the forest floor and fluttering around to pretend they have broken wings.
Page last updated: 15 April 2011
