Northern Mockingbirds can be quite territorial, chasing away other mockingbirds. Unfortunately, they can also be aggressive and greedy additions to the community around birdfeeder. Instead of being disappointed that a more colorful bird isn't enjoying your seed, sit back and enjoy watching these lively, intelligent birds.
Song
The Northern Mockingbird is a feisty passerine, or perching songbird. They are best known for their uncanny talent for mimicry. Not only do Northern Mockingbirds have their own unique songs for mating, declaring territory, and begging for food, they have the ability to imitate other birds. They can even imitate human machinery...including cell phone rings! They generally repeat a particular sound or phrase several times in a row before changing to a new call.
Diet
These birds eat a variety of insects, as well as fruits and seeds. They are often seen hopping along the ground, periodically quickly lifting their wings to flash the white underneath. These wing-flicks are intended to scare insects up out of the grass so that the mockingbird can then grab the insect with its beak.
Breeding
Northern mockingbirds are monogamous, and both parents build the nest and care for their babies. They will typically lay two to four eggs two or three times per year. Generally, the babies leave the nest after 11-13 days, but the parents still feed them for quite some time after they are too big for the nest. Mockingbird nestlings, with their bright yellow, gaping mouths and loud, persistent calls for food, can be very conspicuous to birdwatchers. The parents are quick to defend their young fearlessly, even against much bigger creatures.
Territory
The Northern Mockingbird seems to be extending its territory further and further North, though it is still primarily a Southern bird. In fact, the Northern Mockingbird is the official state bird of five states: Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas.
In Your Yard:
Attracting these birds to your backyard bird habitat is easy. They prefer suet and fruit in a birdfeeder but may take seed on occasion. The mockingbird seems to gravitate toward certain trees, namely as maple, sweetgum, and sycamore.
Quick Facts:
- Family: Mimidae
- Species: Mimus polyglottos
- Average Size: 10 inch body,13-15 inch wingspan
- Range: Found throughout the Southern U.S. in both rural and urban areas, residing year-round, though some in the northernmost part of their range will migrate further South.
- Best Places to Spot a Northern Mockingbird: Forests and suburbs
- Endangered, Threatened, or Protected?: No
- Most Often Mistaken For: Grey Catbird, Bahama Mockingbird, Grey Kingbird
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