Black Catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris)
Illustration redrawn by AI from a real photograph

Black Catbird

Melanoptila glabrirostris Sclater, PL, 1858

19–20 cmLength35 gWeight

The black catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris) is a songbird species in the monotypic genus Melanoptila, part of the family Mimidae.

Busiest months: January and March · Most records: Belize, Mexico, Guatemala

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

Black Catbird has been recorded at 40 of the 8,276 birding hotspots we track, in 3 countries and regions.

Records by month Northern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

  1. Caye Caulker – South PointBelize1,033 records
  2. Caye CaulkerBelize1,011 records
  3. El CedralMexico779 records
More places
  1. Dawson Creek & Lamanai savannaBelize547 records
  2. Malecon TajamarMexico536 records
  3. Reserva Xocen Birding TrailMexico488 records
  4. Camino Vigia ChicoMexico319 records
  5. Zona Arqueológica MuyilMexico308 records
  6. Reserva Toh - Plantación de Madera Dura y Vía de Acceso PonienteMexico250 records
  7. Crooked Tree Wildlife SanctuaryBelize215 records

Countries and regions with the most records

BelizeMexicoGuatemala

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

The black catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris) is a songbird species in the monotypic genus Melanoptila, part of the family Mimidae. At 19–20.5 cm (7.5–8.1 in) in length and 31.6–42 g (1.11–1.48 oz) in mass, it is the smallest of the mimids. Sexes appear similar, with glossy black plumage, black legs and bill, and dark brownish eyes.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia

Questions

How big is the Black Catbird?

The Black Catbird is about 19–20 cm long and weighs around 35 g.

Where does the Black Catbird live?

Its breeding range: Middle America: southern Mexico to Honduras. It is most often recorded in Belize, Mexico and Guatemala.

When is the best time to see the Black Catbird?

At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in January and March (Northern Hemisphere).

Is the Black Catbird endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the Black Catbird as Least Concern.

What does the Black Catbird eat?

Main food: Insects & other invertebrates.

What family is the Black Catbird in?

It belongs to the family Mockingbirds, Thrashers (Mimidae), order Passerines (Passeriformes).

At a glance

Length
19–20 cm
Weight
35 g
Habitat
Woodland
Diet
Insects & other invertebrates
Lifestyle
Perches in trees
Migration
Resident (barely migrates)
Conservation
Least Concern
More measurements
Wing
92 mm
Tail
91 mm
Bill
21 mm
Tarsus
28 mm

Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.

Range

Middle America: southern Mexico to Honduras

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Classification

Order
Passerines Passeriformes
Genus
Melanoptila

More from the family Mockingbirds, Thrashers

Grey CatbirdGrey CatbirdDumetella carolinensisNorthern MockingbirdNorthern MockingbirdMimus polyglottosTropical MockingbirdTropical MockingbirdMimus gilvusBahama MockingbirdBahama MockingbirdMimus gundlachiiChilean MockingbirdChilean MockingbirdMimus thencaLong-tailed MockingbirdLong-tailed MockingbirdMimus longicaudatusChalk-browed MockingbirdChalk-browed MockingbirdMimus saturninusPatagonian MockingbirdPatagonian MockingbirdMimus patagonicusWhite-banded MockingbirdWhite-banded MockingbirdMimus triurusBrown-backed MockingbirdBrown-backed MockingbirdMimus dorsalis
Black Catbird

Download illustration

Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by manuel guadalupe joya cohuo. ↗

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