{"product_id":"hand-carved-gray-catbird-clip-on-bird-ornament","title":"Gray Catbird Clip-on Bird Ornament – Hand-Carved Solid Basswood","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGray Catbird Clip-on Ornament – Hand-Carved Solid Basswood\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis Gray Catbird (\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ebird.org\/species\/grycat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eDumetella carolinensis\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e) is inspired by the global avian data and sightings tracked by eBird, one of the world’s largest citizen-science databases, bringing the wonder of real-world birdwatching into your home décor.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFeature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGray Catbird (\u003cem\u003eDumetella carolinensis\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolid Basswood – lightweight, fine-grained, sustainably sourced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCraftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHand-carved and hand-painted by skilled artisans; each piece is unique\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApprox. 4 in. beak-to-tail · Weight: 35 g\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMount Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpring clip-on – attaches securely to tree branches, wreaths, garlands, and shelves\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCollector’s Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnlike resin, this solid basswood piece allows for anatomical precision found in our full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/paintedbird.shop\/collections\/clip-on-bird-ornaments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eHand-Painted Collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBasswood is the material of choice for serious bird carvers worldwide — its tight, consistent grain holds crisp feather detail that resin casting simply cannot replicate. Because each ornament is carved from a single block of wood, no two pieces are identical, giving collectors a genuinely one-of-a-kind object. The natural wood substrate accepts hand-applied paint in thin, buildable layers, capturing the Gray Catbird’s sleek slate-grey plumage, jet-black cap, and distinctive chestnut undertail coverts with a tonal depth and precision that moulded plastic can never achieve. Over time, solid wood develops a gentle patina that only deepens its character — something no synthetic material can offer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy You’ll Love It\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthentic Detail\u003c\/strong\u003e — Hand-carved from solid basswood and hand-painted feather by feather, faithfully capturing the Gray Catbird’s elegant slate-grey body, black cap, and rufous undertail — a subtle but striking bird that rewards close attention.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEco-Friendly Art\u003c\/strong\u003e — Crafted from sustainably sourced wood, not plastic or resin. Choosing wood means a lower-carbon keepsake that biodegrades naturally at end of life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVersatile Décor\u003c\/strong\u003e — The spring clip mounts instantly on Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, potted plants, curtain rods, or gift ribbon — no hooks, no tools, no fuss. Its understated grey tones complement both festive and year-round displays.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThoughtful Gift\u003c\/strong\u003e — A favourite of birdwatchers across eastern North America for its extraordinary mimicry and cat-like mewing call, the Gray Catbird is a beloved backyard visitor. Also a perfect 5th-anniversary gift, as wood is the traditional material for that milestone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e🐦 Did You Know?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Gray Catbird is one of North America’s most accomplished vocal mimics — and eBird’s audio library captures thousands of its performances.\u003c\/strong\u003e Unlike the Northern Mockingbird, which repeats each phrase multiple times, the Catbird strings its mimicked sounds together in a continuous, non-repeating stream, making each song unique. eBird’s sound recordings from across its range document the species imitating over 40 other bird species in a single session — one of the most complex vocal repertoires of any songbird on the platform.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGray Catbirds are one of the few songbirds known to recognise and eject cowbird eggs from their nests — a behaviour eBird data has helped map across the species’ entire breeding range.\u003c\/strong\u003e Citizen-science checklists submitted to eBird have allowed researchers to track where cowbird parasitism pressure is highest and where Catbird nest success rates are strongest, contributing directly to conservation planning across the eastern United States and Canada.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Why is it called a Catbird?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: The Gray Catbird gets its name from its distinctive mewing call, which sounds remarkably like a domestic cat. It is one of the most recognisable sounds in eastern North American gardens and woodland edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: What material is this ornament made from?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: It is hand-carved from solid basswood — a fine-grained, lightweight hardwood prized by professional bird carvers for its ability to hold crisp anatomical detail. It is not resin, plastic, or composite.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How do I clean it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: Wipe gently with a dry or very slightly damp soft cloth. Avoid soaking, submerging, or using chemical cleaners, as these can lift the hand-applied paint. Store in a cool, dry place between seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is this part of a larger collection?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: Yes — the Gray Catbird is one of dozens of species in the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/paintedbird.shop\/collections\/clip-on-bird-ornaments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003ePainted Bird Clip-on Collection\u003c\/a\u003e. Each bird is individually carved and painted, so they display beautifully together as a growing naturalist’s set.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WOODEN ISLANDS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45517723894014,"sku":"PB-C-on-CatBird","price":19.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7012\/8894\/files\/Gray_Catbird_clip-on_ornament.jpg?v=1778052054","url":"https:\/\/paintedbird.shop\/en-gb\/products\/hand-carved-gray-catbird-clip-on-bird-ornament","provider":"PAINTEDBIRD.SHOP","version":"1.0","type":"link"}