By Amanda Kaminski
Geographic Range
Green catbirds are found from south-eastern Queensland to southern New South Wales on the east coast of Australia. (Mayr and Jennings, 1952)
Biogeographic Regions:
australian 
(native ).
Habitat
Green catbirds are found primarily in the rainforests of the tropical and subtropical regions of Australia. Occasionally they are also found in paperbark and adjacent eucalypt forests. ("Green Catbird", 2008)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
tropical .
Terrestrial Biomes:
forest ; rainforest .
Physical Description
(7.29 oz)
(9.45 to 12.99 in; avg. 11.02 in)
Green catbirds are rather large, stout birds weighing an average of 207 grams and having a length of approximately 28 cm. They have an overall color of emerald green with white spots and a dusky crown, nape and face with a red eye and a white bill. Juvenile green catbirds are a more dull green color. Spotted catbirds (Ailuroedus crassirostris melanotis) are a subspecies that differs in the faint black markings on the face and brighter green color. Green catbirds are sometimes confused with satin bowerbirds (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus), which are more olive green, have blue eyes, a darker bill, and more "scalloped patterning" on the underbody. ("Green Catbird", 2007)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry .
Sexual dimorphism: male larger.
Reproduction
Breeding occurs from September to January.
Like other bowerbirds (Ptilonorhynchidae), male green catbirds attempt to attract mates by displaying colorful leaves, fruits, or flowers in their beaks. When a female comes close, the male chases her from branch to branch and makes a raspy clicking sound. If the female leaves, the male preens, feeds, and calls before once again displaying the leaves, fruits, or flowers. Once the female accepts the male, they are mated for life (monogamous). Even though green catbirds are bowerbirds, they do not build a bower as do other bowerbirds. Instead they build a nest that looks like a cup composed of leaves, twigs and vines. This nest is noted for the unusual layer of soft, wet wood beneath the lining of twigs and leaves which gives the nest its thick, heavy design. The nest is set in a tree fork, tree fern, low branches of trees, or in prickly shrubs. ("Green Catbird", 2007; "Green Catbird", 2008; Becker, 2003; Hindwood and Cooper, 1968)
Mating systems:
monogamous .
Green catbirds are seasonal breeders with the average breeding season starting in September and going through the end of January. The average clutch size is two or three cream or olive colored eggs, which hatch after about 24 days of incubation. Fledging occurs about 22 days after hatching. ("Green Catbird", 2007; "Green Catbird", 2008; Becker, 2003)
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; oviparous .
Only female green catbirds build the nest and incubate the eggs. After hatching both the male and female look after and feed the young. They also both defend the territory throughout the year. This territory is used for nesting and feeding. ("Green Catbird", 2007; "Green Catbird", 2008; Becker, 2003)
Parental investment:
altricial ; pre-fertilization (provisioning, protecting: female); pre-hatching/birth (provisioning: female, protecting: male, female); pre-weaning/fledging (provisioning: male, female, protecting: male, female).
Lifespan/Longevity
There is little available information for the lifespan and longevity of green catbirds in the wild and in captivity.
Behavior
Green catbirds are active during the day and are territorial. They live as mated pairs or small family groups and do not migrate. ("Green Catbird", 2007; "Green Catbird", 2008; Becker, 2003)
Home Range
The average home range of the green catbirds is about five acres or around 20,000 m^2. This range is much reduced during the breeding season. (Innis and McEvoy, 1992; Mayr and Jennings, 1952)
Key behaviors:
flies; diurnal ; motile ; sedentary ; territorial .
Communication and Perception
The call of green catbirds has been said to sound like a cat meowing or a human baby crying. They are mostly solitary birds except for living with their mate, they use primarily vocalizations to communicate with mates, although visual displays are part of the initial courtship. ("Green Catbird", 2007)
Other communication keywords:
duets .
Food Habits
Green catbirds primarily eat fruits, flowers, and other plant material. During breeding season they often prey on the hatchlings of other birds or small reptiles to feed their young. Foraging is usually done in pairs or small family groups by moving from one tree to the next in the mid and upper canopy of the forest. (Innis and McEvoy, 1992)
Animal Foods:
birds; reptiles; insects.
Plant Foods:
leaves; fruit; flowers.
Predation
There is little information on the predators of green catbirds, although it is likely that eggs and hatchlings are preyed on by nest predators. Green catbirds actively defend their territories and nests. They also use a broken wing display to distract potential predators from nests. ("Green Catbird", 2008)
Ecosystem Roles
Since green catbirds eat fruit, flowers, and other plant material, it is assumed that they aid in the dispersal of seeds and maybe even with the pollination of some plant species. (Innis and McEvoy, 1992)
Key ways these animals impact their ecosystem:
disperses seeds; pollinates.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Green catbirds may occasionally take cultivated fruits, although their impact is negligible.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Green catbirds eat some insects, which may be potential pests, and they aid in the dispersal and pollination of native plants.
Ways that people benefit from these animals:
controls pest population.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Not Evaluated.
US Migratory Bird Act: [link]:
No special status.
US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.
CITES: [link]:
No special status.
State of Michigan List: [link]:
No special status.
Green catbird populations are considered relatively large and stable. They are described as "common" in most of their range and have an estimated global range size of 20,000 to 50,000 km^2." Humans are the biggest threat to these birds due to the destruction of their habitat. (Morcombe, 2000)
For More Information
Find Ailuroedus crassirostris information at
Contributors
Tanya Dewey (editor), Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
Amanda Kaminski (author), Northern Michigan University. Dr. Alec R. Lindsay (editor, instructor).
