Dr. Bill, Atomica defines catbird seat as "a position of power or prominence". I only see catbirds occasionally, so I can't say for sure, but from what I have seen, they are not particularly domineering. Mockingbirds can be, but not as much as bluejays. Even robins are, in nesting time: the spring before our cat adopted us, a male robin would sit in the same spot out back for hours, making announcements to everybody!