Mimus polyglottos
Least Concern
Known as the lyricist of the bird world, the Northern Mockingbird is a common sight across North America. With its striking gray and white plumage and an unmatched ability to mimic a variety of sounds, this bird adds a melodious soundtrack to suburban gardens and wild landscapes alike.
Males and females have similar plumage
Gray
Brown
White
White
Black
Brown
Short
Black
Black
Black
Black
White wing patches and outer tail feathers
Spotted underparts
Long tail with white outer feathers
Long with white outer feathers
21cm to 28cm
Length
31cm to 38cm
Wingspan
40g to 58g
Weight
Click on an image below to see the full-size version
Northern Mockingbird fledgling
Northern Mockingbird in natural habitat
Northern Mockingbird foraging on the ground
Northern Mockingbird in-flight
Northern Mockingbird in song
Portrait of a Northern Mockingbird
Song is a series of musical phrases, each repeated several times
Calls include a harsh 'chew'
Rapid, harsh chatters and sharp 'chew' notes
Active during the day, with peak activity in the early morning and late afternoon
Solitary or in pairs
Highly territorial, especially during breeding season
Some populations migrate short distances
Aggressive towards other birds entering its territory
Insects, Berries
Forages on the ground and in trees and shrubs
Primarily during the day
Catching insects in flight or on the ground
Diet varies with season and food availability
None known
Shrubs, trees, or on man-made structures
Made of twigs and lined with softer materials
Spring to early summer
Usually between two and four
Pale blue-green with dark spots
2cm x 3cm
Usually 3-5 eggs
12-13 days
12-13 days
Both parents feed and protect the young
North America, from southern Canada to Mexico
Open country with thickets and shrubs, suburban areas
Sea level to 1000m
Some populations migrate short distances
Temperate Forest, Suburban
Temperate
Please note, this range and distribution map is a high-level overview, and doesn't break down into specific regions and areas of the countries.
Distribution notes
Introduced to Bermuda
Resident or Present
Breeding
Non-breeding
6
20
8 year(s)
1 year(s)
1 year(s)
Monogamous, sometimes polygynous
No significant changes
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)
Habitat loss, pesticide exposure
Habitat preservation, pesticide regulation
Stable or increasing in most areas
Other names:
Mockingbird
Family:
MimidaePopulation size:
32,000,000
Population trend:
Stable
Conservation status:
Least Concern
IUCN Red List
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