Arty, I dont have a pic but Im hoping you can help me. Today in my yard (NJ) I spotted two birds on the ground under the feeder. They looked like Mockingbirds, but very dark in color. More of a Charcoal with a narrow black cap. My Mockingbirds here are all light in color. Any ideas?

I have to many Ideas, need a nice clear photo, If possible.

Ill try. They were out there again this morning and not afraid of me at all. Landed maybe 3 feet from me on the bird bath, sat there and looked at me. Its smaller than a Mockingbird, like a mini version. Black narrow cap and charcoal body. Belly below the chest and under the tail is a rust color.Ive never seen them here before.

I've noticed them in my backyard as well. I'll see if I can get any pictures, too.

What part of Jersey are you in? Arent they cool little birds!

We just watched a bird fly over, and I swear it was a parrot. His tail was square and the wings looked like a grown in show clip. I have to keep my eyes open. Probably the size of a CAG. Makes my heart sink................

Could it be a catbird? They're relatives of the mockingbird, 9" long, charcoal gray with a black cap & a rusty patch under the tail. It also looks like the bill is longer than a mockingbird's. Their song mimics other birds, each version only sung once; calls include a cat-like meeow & kwut.

Info from Stokes Field Guide To Birds (Eastern Region) copyright, 1996 by Don & Lillian Stokes. Published by Little, Brown & Co.

THANK YOU!!! I just looked up and image and thats the bird!! I thought I had kittens in my yard and I was going crazy looking for them. But its the bird. SO COOL!! Thank you!!!!!