Northern mockingbirds are a familiar sight across much of the United States. Known for their song mimicry and aggressive territorial behavior, these medium-sized songbirds put on quite a show in backyards and parks. While entertaining to watch, northern mockingbirds do require proper care and feeding to stay healthy. As backyard bird enthusiasts, it’s important to understand what these birds eat and how best to supplement their diet.
The Natural Northern Mockingbird Diet
In the wild, northern mockingbirds are omnivorous. They have varied diets consisting of both plant and animal material. Some of their common natural food sources include:
- Insects – Beetles, ants, wasps, caterpillars, grasshoppers
- Spiders
- Earthworms
- Berries – Mulberries, wild cherries, sumac, grapes, Virginia creeper, sassafras, holly
- Seeds – Wild grasses, legumes, weed seeds
- Fruits – Raspberries, currants, citrus, figs
Northern mockingbirds hunt for insects on the ground or pluck them from vegetation. These songbirds use their curved beaks to probe into the ground, leaf litter, or crevices in trees and posts. They also regularly investigate flowers and berry bushes for juicy fruits and berries.
Best Foods to Feed Mockingbirds
Mockingbirds readily come to backyard bird feeders and gardens looking for supplemental food sources. If you want to attract northern mockingbirds, consider offering some of the following bird-approved foods:
1. Mealworms
Fresh or dried mealworms are one of the best bird treats to feed mockingbirds. These protein-packed worms are an excellent substitute for the insects mockingbirds eat in the wild. You can purchase them live, dried, or freeze-dried from pet stores and online shops. Serve them in an open dish, platform feeder, or mesh bag.
2. Fruit
Chopped fruits are easy nutritional wins for mockingbirds. Good fruits to offer include grapes, apples, citrus slices, bananas, berries, and melons. Be sure to remove any stems, peels, and cores. Also, chop the fruits into smaller pieces to prevent choking hazards.
3. Nut Butter
Northern mockingbirds can’t resist the richness of peanut butter and other nut butters. Look for all-natural products without hydrogenated oils and extra salt. You can smear it into tiny pinecone “cups”, onto the end of a stick suspended from a branch, or inside the crevices of a hanging suet feeder.
Food | Benefits |
---|---|
Mealworms | Excellent source of protein and fat |
Fruit | Provides natural sugar for energy |
Nut butter | High in fat and protein |
4. Pieces of Bread or Crackers
Stale bread, muffins, and crackers can also be served to mockingbirds. Avoid anything with unhealthy fats, salt, or seasonings. Break the pieces down into bite-sized bits.
5. Bird Seed
Mockingbirds will eat standard birdseed mixes, including millet, sunflower chips, safflower seeds, cracked corn, and nyjer seeds. Platform tray feeders or hopper feeders with large perches work well for serving these. Scatter some seed on the ground too.
6. Suet
Nutritious suet cakes attract insect-loving mockingbirds. Look for suet made with nuts, seeds, cornmeal, oatmeal, dried fruit, and nut butter. Offer it inside open cages or on suet basket feeders.
7. Sugar Water
Homemade nectar with a sugar and water solution will draw in mockingbirds. Use a ratio of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Boil the water first and let it cool before mixing. Put the nectar in hummingbird feeders or small shallow dishes.
Foods to Avoid Feeding Mockingbirds
There are also some foods you shouldn’t offer mockingbirds either due to poor nutrition or risks of illness or injury:
- Salty foods like potato chips, pretzels, flavored crackers
- Avocados
- Chocolate
- Rich sweets like cookies, cake, candy
- Caffeinated beverages
- Alcohol
- Raw dried beans (can be toxic)
- Fresh greens like lettuce, spinach (poor nutrition)
- Spoiled or moldy food
- Pet foods
- Anything with capsaicin or very spicy
In addition, only put out small amounts of food that will get eaten in one day. Leaving uneaten food sitting out can spoil and spread dangerous bacteria. Frequently clean feeders also using a 10% bleach solution to prevent disease transmission.
Meeting Nutritional Needs
Northern mockingbirds have complex nutritional needs. In the wild, they may consume over 100 different food items in a day! While our backyard feeders can’t replicate that diverse of a diet, we can support the dietary foundations mockingbirds need.
The ideal mockingbird diet should contain:
- Protein – For muscle maintenance and development; found in foods like mealworms, peanut butter, and suet
- Fat – Provides concentrated energy; found in suet, nut butter, and seeds
- Carbohydrates – For energy; found in fruits, nectar, and bread
- Vitamins – For bodily function; found in most fruits and some vegetables
- Minerals – For bone strength and nerve function; found in nut butter, suet, eggshells
- Water – Critical for hydration and digestion; provide a bird bath or dripping water
By offering a combination of protein-rich and energy-dense foods, we can help mockingbirds get the nutrients they need. This is especially important in winter when insect supplies are lower and the birds need more calories to keep warm. Adjust your feeder offerings seasonally to help support mockingbirds year-round.
Extra Feeding Tips
Follow these additional tips to get the most out of your mockingbird feeding station:
- Place feeders in somewhat open areas with clear visibility – Mockingbirds like to watch for danger
- Include multiple perches and landing spots at different heights
- Clean feeders regularly to prevent bacteria and mold
- Provide grit like sand or crushed eggshells to aid digestion
- Offer a water source like a birdbath, fountain, or mister
- Supplement natural food sources by planting native plants and fruiting shrubs
- Avoid using pesticides in your yard
Conclusion
With their vocal talents and animated behaviors, northern mockingbirds are one of the most interesting birds frequenting backyards and parks. Attract more of them by offering a buffet of their favorite foods. Mealworms, fruit, nut butter, and suet will all entice these songsters. Vary the selections with the seasons to provide essential nutrition year-round. With a little effort, you can turn your yard into a mockingbird café!