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Platte River Status: A fairly common migrant and uncommon nesting species. Dates of occurrence at the Mormon Island Crane Meadows, Hall County, range from 8 May to 9 October. Gray catbird occurs in Lincoln County 4 May to 13 October (Tout 1947). Rosche (1979) recorded this species only as a migrant in the lower North Platte River Valley present 14 May to 4 June, and 4 August to 11 September.

Breeding Range: A common nesting species in the Platte River Valley and on the Eastern Plain (where local); rare or absent during the nesting season elsewhere in the study area.

Breeding Population: The population was estimated at 3,000 nesting pairs in 1979-1980.

Habitat: We found the largest mean nesting density in lowland forest (2.0 pairs/km²), and in river channel island (0.5 pairs/km²). Gray catbird appears to occur most commonly in the Platte River Valley in wooded habitats supporting a dense understory. Faanes (1983) found largest nesting densities of gray catbirds in western North Dakota wooded draws in areas characterized by high shrub density and high tree density. Faanes and Andrew (1983) reported that among various wooded habitats in northeastern North Dakota, largest gray catbird nesting densities were found in willow shrub and lowland forest. Nickell (1965) found that gray catbird breeding habitat in several Great Lakes study areas included fence rows, dense edge, and shrubby areas near watercourses. Tout (1947) reported that most gray catbirds nesting in Lincoln County were in thickets, low brushes, and vines, especially along streams. Gray ctbird occupies a wide range of habitats across Illinois. Highest nesting densities were 381.7 birds per km² in hedgerows (Graber and Graber 1963).

Effect of Habitat Alteration: Gray catbird has benefited from de-watering of the Platte River system and the subsequent encroachment of wooded vegetation in the stream channel. Because of their affinity for areas supporting a dense shrub layer, this species will be negatively impacted by excessive livestock grazing in riparian habitats.

Nesting Data: Tout (1947) reported that mean clutch size among 41 gray catbird nests in Lincoln County was 2.8 eggs (range 2-5). Nest dates in the study area extend from 29 May to 30 July. Kansas egg dates range from 11 May to 31 July, with a peak in late May (Johnsgard 1979).