The Northern Mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos

Location & Habitat:

- Northern mockingbirds are commonly found in
North America. They are most common in the
Southern United States, especially Texas and
Southern Florida.
- These birds favor open areas and dense, shrubby
forest edges. They can be found roaming suburban
lawns.

Description:
- Northern mockingbirds are medium sized (ranging
from 8-10 in. long), with gray-brown feathers and
a lighter underbelly. Their wings are rounded and
have white patches, which are visible when their
wings are outstretched. They also have long legs Species Conservation
and tails. Status:
- The females are slightly smaller than males and
have darker tail feathers. “Least concern”
- Juvenile mockingbirds have brown spots on their -species’ population is
underbelly. stable

Behavior: Predators:
- Northern mockingbirds are solitary and territorial. Hawks, owls, blue jays,
They raid gardens and may attack humans and snakes, squirrels
pets if they seem threatening.
- During mating season in the late winter, they are
Fun Facts:
especially aggressive.
- Male northern mockingbirds perform a “fight
- The northern
display” to attract females
mockingbird is the
- They run on the ground and perch on trees, where
Texas state bird
they can defend their territory.
- Its scientific name
Diet:
means “many-tongued
- Northern mockingbirds are omnivore; their diets
mimic”
primarily consist of insects and berries. They
forage on the ground or while perched in trees/
- The northern
shrubs.
mockingbird has a
lifespan of 8 years in the
wild
The Mockingbirds Call:
- The blue jay, northern
- Northern mockingbirds use
flicker, and the red
visual cues and song to
headed woodpecker may
communicate. They can be
occupy the northern
heard singing during both
mockingbird birdhouse.
night and day, especially
during nesting season.

- Besides its own song, the

northern mockingbird
imitates the songs of other
birds to discourage them
from occupying its territory.
They can also imitate sounds
like car alarms.