Northern Mockingbird Bird Facts (Mimus polyglottos)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Northern Mockingbird is a medium-sized songbird with a slender body and long legs. Its plumage is predominantly gray on the upper parts and whitish-gray on the underparts, with distinctive white patches on the wings and tail.

Both males and females share similar coloration. Juveniles resemble adults but may have a slightly speckled breast. The bird's wings display conspicuous white wing bars and patches that are especially visible during flight.

Size

Length

21cm to 26cm

Wingspan

31cm to 35cm

Weight

45g to 58g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Grey White

Secondary Colour

Black Brown

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Northern Mockingbird can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Northern Mockingbird can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Northern Mockingbird is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Northern Mockingbird is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Northern Mockingbird can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Northern Mockingbird can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Northern Mockingbird is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Northern Mockingbird is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Northern Mockingbird is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Northern Mockingbird is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Northern Mockingbird is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Northern Mockingbird is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Northern Mockingbirds are widely distributed across North America, from southern Canada through the United States and into Mexico. They thrive in a variety of open habitats, including suburban areas, city parks, farmlands, and forest edges.

These birds are year-round residents throughout most of their range in the United States. Some individuals may move south during harsh winters in the northernmost parts of their distribution, but this migration is not consistent or widespread.

There have been a handful of sightings in the UK, one in 1982 (Saltash, Cornwall), 1988 (Horsey Island, Essex), and 2021 (Exmouth, Devon), making it an extremely rare sighting.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 3,100 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Northern Mockingbird. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Bermuda British Virgin Islands Canada Cayman Islands Cuba Dominican Republic Haiti Mexico Puerto Rico Saint Pierre and Miquelon The Bahamas Turks and Caicos US Virgin Islands

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Jamaica United States of America

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Anguilla Netherlands The United Kingdom

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Northern Mockingbird displays remarkable agility, evident in its swift ground movements, elaborate flight displays, and ability to navigate diverse habitats from urban areas to woodlands. Their quick reflexes and manoeuvrability are essential for both foraging and evading predators.

Strength 40

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not particularly strong for their size, Northern Mockingbirds possess adequate strength for their lifestyle. They can carry nesting materials and defend their territory, but their physical power is limited compared to many other bird species.

Adaptability 95

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Northern Mockingbirds exhibit exceptional adaptability, thriving in various environments from sea level to 3,100 metres elevation. Their ability to live in urban, suburban, and natural habitats, coupled with their diverse diet and capacity to learn over 200 different songs, demonstrates remarkable adaptability.

Aggressiveness 80

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

These birds are known for their bold and territorial behaviour, particularly during breeding season. They aggressively defend their territory, often swooping at perceived threats, including humans they recognise. This high level of aggression is crucial for protecting their nests and young.

Endurance 70

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Northern Mockingbirds demonstrate good endurance, evidenced by their ability to sing throughout the night, especially during full moons or in well-lit areas. Their capacity to maintain territories year-round and raise multiple broods per season also suggests solid endurance. However, they are not long-distance migrants, which would require exceptional endurance.

Diet

Northern Mockingbirds have a diverse diet that includes both animal and plant matter. They primarily feed on insects such as beetles, ants, and grasshoppers, but also consume berries, fruits, and seeds. In winter, they may rely more heavily on fruit when insects are scarce.

Behaviour

Northern Mockingbirds are known for their bold and territorial behavior. They often perch prominently on high points, such as treetops or fenceposts, to survey their territory.

These birds are also ground foragers, frequently seen running and stopping to search for insects. During the breeding season, males perform elaborate flight displays to attract mates.

Vocalisation

The Northern Mockingbird is renowned for its vocal abilities. Its song is a long series of phrases, each repeated 2-6 times before moving to a new sound.

They can mimic over 200 different songs, including other birds, insects, amphibians, and even mechanical sounds. Their call is a harsh, raspy 'chack' often used as an alarm.

Nesting & Breeding

Northern Mockingbirds typically form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, from spring to early summer. Males court females with elaborate songs and flight displays, often singing throughout the night.

Nests are usually built in dense shrubs or trees, 3-10 feet above the ground. The female constructs a cup-shaped nest using twigs, grass, and leaves, often lined with softer materials. She lays 2-6 pale blue or greenish eggs with brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 12-13 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after about 12-14 days. Mockingbirds often raise 2-3 broods per season.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

The Northern Mockingbird is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its adaptability to urban and suburban environments has helped maintain stable populations across much of its range. However, habitat loss and climate change may pose future challenges, particularly in certain regions.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

43,000,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for mockingbirds in open areas with scattered vegetation, such as parks, suburbs, and forest edges.
Listen for their varied and repeated song phrases, often mimicking other birds and sounds.
Watch for their distinctive wing flashing behavior, where they open and close their wings to reveal white patches.
Observe their territorial behavior, especially during breeding season when they may aggressively defend their area.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Mockingbird

Family:

Mimidae

Average Lifespan

8 years

Max Lifespan

20 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators of Northern Mockingbirds include hawks, owls, and domestic cats. Snakes and raccoons may prey on eggs and nestlings.

Did You Know?

Northern Mockingbirds can learn up to 200 different songs in their lifetime.
They are known to sing at night, especially during a full moon or in well-lit areas.
Mockingbirds can recognize individual humans and may swoop at those they perceive as threats.

References

2 3 4
book, 2000: Carey and Judge, Longevity Records: Life Spans of Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish
1
website: BirdLife International. 2017. Mimus polyglottos (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22711026A111233524.
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