Green Catbird

1\. Brilliant emerald-green plumage with distinctive white spotting across the body

2\. Unmistakable cat-like "meeoww" call that sounds eerily like a crying baby

3\. Bright red eyes and distinctive pearly white bill against a dusky face

Unlike their bowerbird relatives, Green Catbirds form monogamous pairs. Males don't build elaborate bowers but instead help defend territory and feed their partners year-round. They nest from October to January, building bulky cup nests in dense foliage. Both parents care for their young, sometimes even feeding them baby birds from other species during breeding season.

Green Catbirds inhabit the lush rainforests along Australia's east coast, from southeastern Queensland to southern New South Wales. Look for them in the middle to upper story of rainforest canopies, especially around fruiting trees. Dawn and dusk are prime spotting times when they're most vocal. They often travel in pairs, moving methodically through the foliage. Listen for their distinctive cat-like wail – once heard, it's never forgotten and is your best clue to finding these otherwise secretive birds.

Green Catbirds are native to Australia's eastern rainforests, which have diminished significantly since European settlement. Their distinctive calls have long been part of the soundscape of these ancient forests, adding to the mysterious ambience of Australia's remaining subtropical rainforest patches.