The gray bird that closely resembles a mockingbird is likely the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos). The Northern Mockingbird is a medium-sized songbird that is best known for its ability to mimic the sounds of other birds. It has gray upperparts, white underparts, and white patches on the wings that are visible during flight. The bird’s long tail and wings are dark with white outer tail feathers that flash during flight. The gray coloration allows the mockingbird to blend into its surroundings.
Description of the Northern Mockingbird
The Northern Mockingbird is a slender, long-tailed songbird measuring around 8.5-11 inches in length with a wingspan of 12-13.5 inches. Males and females have similar plumage. The upperparts are gray overall with darker wings. The underparts are white with faint gray streaking on the breast. The mockingbird has white outer tail feathers that flash conspicuously in flight. The eyes are yellow with an eyering, and the slender bill is black. Juveniles are fuzzier and browner overall until their first molt.
The mockingbird has a long and lean profile. When perched, the mockingbird has a stiff, upright posture and often cocks or fans its tail. In flight, the mockingbird has quick, stiff wingbeats with glides on flattened wings. The flashing white outer tail feathers are a helpful identification clue. The mockingbird moves around energetically, frequently hopping onto branches or along the ground.
Northern Mockingbird Habitat
The Northern Mockingbird occupies open forest edges, thickets, scrubby areas, parks, residential areas, forest openings, and agricultural fields across much of North America. It is absent from dense forest interiors. Mockingbirds thrive in urban and suburban areas with shrubs for nesting and perching. They are common sights in backyards, city parks, along roadsides, and in open country at low to moderate elevations.
Northern Mockingbird Range
The Northern Mockingbird has an extensive range across the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. In the US and southern Canada, it can be found across the continental states and provinces except for the very northernmost regions. The mockingbird’s range extends south through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands to Panama.
The mockingbird is generally present year-round throughout its breeding range but may migrate short distances south in the northernmost parts of its range in winter. Some northern populations may migrate south to the southern US, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Overall the mockingbird has a generally stable population trend and is not considered threatened.
Northern Mockingbird Call
The Northern Mockingbird is renowned for its complex song repertoire. Males sing almost continuously throughout the day and into the night during breeding season. Both males and females can sing. The mockingbird’s famous song consists of a mix of musical notes, trills, squeaks, chatters, and imitations of other bird songs. It can mimic over 30 species. Mockingbirds also make raspy, squealing notes when alarmed. One study found a single mockingbird could mimic up to 200 different songs!
Northern Mockingbird Nesting
The breeding season for Northern Mockingbirds runs from March to August, with some regional variations. Males establish nesting territories in spring and attract a female by singing continuously day and night. The male performs a flight display, pursuing the female while flashing his white wing patches. Once paired, the female builds the nest while the male guards the territory.
The nest is a bulky cup assembled from twigs, grass, leaves, trash, and debris. It is placed in a dense shrub or small tree 3-10 feet above ground. The female lays 3-5 eggs which are pale blue or green with reddish-brown spotting. She incubates them for 11-14 days. Both parents feed the nestlings insects and berries for 10-14 days until fledging. Mockingbirds are known for aggressively defending their nest from perceived threats.
Northern Mockingbird Diet
The Northern Mockingbird is omnivorous, feeding on both insects and fruits. A wide variety of insects are taken including beetles, ants, wasps, caterpillars, moths, crickets, and grasshoppers. Berries and fruits are favored when available including mulberries, raspberries, blackberries, figs, citrus, and grapes. Mockingbirds forage for insects on the ground or pluck them from vegetation. They eat berries and fruits directly from plants in trees and shrubs.
Northern Mockingbirds are aggressive defenders of food resources. They frequently harass or chase away other birds that enter their territory including hawks, crows, and cats. Mockingbirds may also threaten humans that get too close to a nest.
Northern Mockingbird Behavior
Northern Mockingbirds are intelligent, adaptable birds that thrive around human habitation. They are known for their complex songs and ability to mimic dozens of other bird songs. Males sing almost constantly to mark their territories and attract mates. Both sexes are aggressive in defending nest sites and chasing away threats. Mockingbirds are fierce protectors of their nests and young.
Northern Mockingbirds are diurnal and spend their time conspicuously perched on open branches, poles, fences, or wires. They frequently give wing flashes to expose their white outer tail feathers. Mockingbirds move around energetically in open terrain as they forage for insects and other prey. They are curious and observant birds that learn the patterns around their environment.
Key Facts
- Scientific Name: Mimus polyglottos
- Length: 8.5-11 inches
- Wingspan: 12-13.5 inches
- Weight: 1.1-2.0 oz
- Lifespan: Up to 8 years
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
Mockingbird Mimicry
The Northern Mockingbird is renowned for its ability to mimic the calls and songs of other birds. It can copy the songs of over 30 different species. Mimicry may serve different purposes:
- Attracting mates
- Defending territory
- Avoiding detection by prey
- Confusion of competitors/predators
Both males and females mimick other birds, but males have the largest repertoire. Mimicry occurs year-round but is most prominent during breeding season when males sing to attract mates. The mockingbird mimicry consists of copying a sequence of notes from another bird before switching to a new song, often interspersing their own unqiue notes. Mockingbirds have excellent memories and can replicate songs they’ve heard only a few times.
Birds Mocked by Mockingbirds
Here are some of the bird species frequently mimicked by the Northern Mockingbird:
Species | Notes |
---|---|
Northern Cardinal | Clear whistled song |
Blue Jay | Harsh calls |
American Robin | Cheerful carrolling song |
Tufted Titmouse | Whistle call |
House Wren | Rattling trill |
Brown Thrasher | Multiple phrases |
Conclusion
The Northern Mockingbird is likely the gray-colored songbird that resembles a mockingbird seen in many areas of North America. It has gray upperparts, white underparts, and white patches on the wings that are visible in flight. The mockingbird is best identified by its complex and musical song, with the ability to mimic over 30 other bird species. Mockingbirds thrive in open habitats from suburbia to thickets where they conspicuously sing and aggressively defend their nesting territories.