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GUIDE TO NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS
Find a Bird
Adult. Photo: Craig Abbott/Audubon Photography Awards
About This Bird About Climate Vulnerability Climate Learn More Learn
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD
Mimus polyglottos
Conservation status This species was often captured for sale as a pet from the
late 1700s to the early 1900s, and probably as a result it became scarce along
much of the northern edge of its range. After the cagebird trade was stopped,
the Mockingbird again became common in many areas. During recent decades it has
expanded its range north, especially in the northeast; its success there may
have been partly owing to widespread planting of multiflora rose, a source of
favorite berries and good nest sites. Family Mockingbirds and Thrashers Habitat
Towns, farms, roadsides, thickets, brushy areas. Favors areas with dense low
shrubs and open ground, either short grass or open soil, thus often common
around suburban hedges and lawns. Also in many kinds of second growth, woodland
edges, farmland. In west, often very numerous in desert thickets or streamsides
in canyons.
This bird's famous song, with its varied repetitions and artful imitations, is
heard all day during nesting season (and often all night as well). Very common
in towns and cities, especially in southern areas, the Mockingbird often seeks
insects on open lawns. When running in the open it may stop every few feet and
partly spread its wings, flashing the white wing patches. Mockingbirds are bold
in defense of their nests, attacking cats and even humans that venture too
close.
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FEEDING BEHAVIOR
Captures insects mostly while walking and running on ground. Also watches from
low perch and flies down to capture items on ground below. Perches in shrubs and
trees to eat berries.
EGGS
3-4, sometimes 2-6. Variably greenish to bluish gray, with blotches of brown
usually concentrated at larger end. Incubation is by female, 12-13 days. Young:
Both parents feed the nestlings. Young leave the nest about 12 days after
hatching, not able to fly well for about another week. 2-3 broods per year.
YOUNG
Both parents feed the nestlings. Young leave the nest about 12 days after
hatching, not able to fly well for about another week. 2-3 broods per year.
DIET
Mostly insects and berries. Annual diet is about half insects and other
arthropods, half berries and fruits. Feeds heavily on insects in late spring and
summer, especially beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, wasps, also many
others. Also eats spiders, snails, sowbugs, earthworms, and rarely crayfish and
small lizards. Fall and winter diet leans heavily to berries and wild fruits,
sometimes a few cultivated fruits.
NESTING
Nesting begins early, by late winter in southern areas. Male sings to defend
territory and attract a mate, often leaping a few feet in the air and flapping
his wings while singing. Early stage of courtship involves male and female
chasing each other rapidly around territory. Nest: Placed in a dense shrub or
tree, usually 3-10' above the ground, sometimes lower or higher (rarely up to
60'). Nest has bulky foundation of twigs supporting open cup of weeds, grass,
leaves, lined with fine material such as rootlets, moss, animal hair, plant
down. Male builds most of foundation, female adds most of lining.
Illustration © David Allen Sibley.
Learn more about these drawings.
Text © Kenn Kaufman, adapted from
Lives of North American Birds
Share this bird
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MIGRATION
Migration poorly understood; some move southward in fall, at least short
distances, but some remain through winter at northern limits of range.
* All Seasons - Common
* All Seasons - Uncommon
* Breeding - Common
* Breeding - Uncommon
* Winter - Common
* Winter - Uncommon
* Migration - Common
* Migration - Uncommon
See a fully interactive migration map for this species on the Bird Migration
Explorer.
Learn more
SONGS AND CALLS
A long series of musical and grating phrases, each repeated 3 or more times;
often imitates other birds and regularly sings at night. Call a harsh chack.
song #1
song #2 (night)
song #3
chewk calls
churrs (alarm)
Audio © Lang Elliott, Bob McGuire, Kevin Colver, Martyn Stewart and others.
Learn more about this sound collection.
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Photos clockwise from top left: White Ibis, Melissa Groo; Northern Shovelers,
Steve Jessmore/Audubon Photography Awards; Blackpoll Warbler, Mike
Fernandez/Audubon; Laysan Albatross, Jon Brack/USFWS. Illustration: Andrei
Cojocaruu
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Photos clockwise from top left: White Ibis, Melissa Groo; Northern Shovelers,
Steve Jessmore/Audubon Photography Awards; Blackpoll Warbler, Mike
Fernandez/Audubon; Laysan Albatross, Jon Brack/USFWS. Illustration: Andrei
Cojocaruu