Catbirds have some of the best songs, probably because they imitate a lot of other birds, and frogs. They also can mimic mechanical sounds. Male catbirds often sing a combination of notes collected into what is referred to as 'phrases,' that go on for many minutes. Their sounds include squeaks, whines and whistles (in addition to other birds, frogs and mechanical sounds). Females sing infrequently, and when they do, their songs are sung more quietly.

Catbirds are in the same family as Mockingbirds and Thrashers.
Mockingbirds tend to repeat phrases three or more times, and Brown Thrashers typically sing phrases twice before moving on, while Catbirds usually don't repeat phrases, just certain notes.