The northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is known for its complex and varied song repertoire, as well as its aggressive territorial behavior. This medium-sized songbird breeds in open areas across much of the United States and Mexico. Read on to learn which states are home to northern mockingbird populations.
Range and Habitat
The northern mockingbird has a large range that includes most of the continental United States, southern Canada, Mexico, and parts of Central America. This species is found in a variety of open and semi-open habitats, including urban and suburban areas, forest edges, scrublands, riparian areas, grasslands, agricultural fields, and deserts.
Across its widespread range, the northern mockingbird can be spotted in the following states and provinces during the breeding season (spring and summer):
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Southern Ontario
- Southern Quebec
- Southern Manitoba
- Southern British Columbia
During the winter months, many northern mockingbirds withdraw from the northern parts of their range and head south. As a result, they may be absent or only found in small numbers in northern states during winter. However, sizable populations remain year-round in the southern and coastal states.
Key States
While northern mockingbirds occupy suitable habitat across much of the lower 48 states, certain states stand out for their large mockingbird populations. These states provide ideal mockingbird habitat and are situated squarely within the core breeding range.
Texas
Texas supports one of the highest densities of northern mockingbirds in the country. The species is a common year-round resident across the entire state, occurring in urban areas, scrublands, thickets, and desert oases. The mockingbird has been designated the official state bird of Texas since 1927, where it is deeply ingrained in the state’s culture and traditions.
Florida
The Sunshine State is well populated by northern mockingbirds, especially in the southern regions. Abundant scrub habitat provides excellent nesting and foraging grounds. Mockingbirds are a familiar sight in parks, yards, and urban areas across Florida. Many individuals remain in the state throughout the year.
California
In California, northern mockingbirds primarily breed in the southern coastal regions and inland valleys. Urban and suburban habitats in cities like Los Angeles provide habitat for mockingbirds to flourish. Some birds that breed in California migrate south for the winter, while others remain as year-round residents.
Louisiana
Across the Bayou State, northern mockingbirds are a conspicuous presence in a variety of habitats, from cypress swamps to city neighborhoods. Plentiful breeding populations occupy Louisiana year-round, aided by the warm climate and abundance of fruiting trees and shrubs.
Georgia
Northern mockingbirds are a common sight and sound in gardens, parks, and woodland edges across Georgia. As a southern state with mild winters, Georgia provides year-round habitat for mockingbirds. Some populations migrate, but many remain through the winter.
Oklahoma
The mockingbird is an abundant summer resident across the prairie and plain landscapes of Oklahoma. Shelterbelts, thickets, and urban areas provide nesting habitat. Some mockingbirds that breed in Oklahoma migrate south for winter, but others remain as far north as the Oklahoma City area.
Alabama
With its diversity of habitats including forests, scrublands, and developed areas, Alabama provides excellent mockingbird habitat. Northern mockingbirds occur statewide and are likely seen or heard on a daily basis by most Alabama residents. Populations thrive year-round.
South Carolina
The northern mockingbird breeds and resides in South Carolina throughout the year. Coastal scrub habitat provides ideal breeding grounds. Mockingbirds are a familiar presence in parks, gardens, and cities across the state. Some post-breeding dispersal occurs but many remain through winter.
Mississippi
This southern state provides prime habitat for northern mockingbirds in the form of open forests, riparian thickets, and developed areas. Abundant fruiting plants provide food through fall and winter for year-round populations. Mockingbird song is a regular background soundtrack of Mississippi.
North Carolina
Northern mockingbirds occupy varied environments across North Carolina, including pine forests, wetlands, farms, and suburbs. Central and southern parts of the state host breeding mockingbirds, some of which remain through winter while others withdraw southward.
Notable States
In addition to the states with the highest mockingbird populations listed above, there are a few other states that are particularly notable for their mockingbird inhabitants:
Nevada
While mockingbirds in Nevada are generally limited to habitats along the Colorado River and in urban areas like Las Vegas, they have adapted well to the arid environment. Mockingbirds can be found defending desert scrub territories.
New Jersey
The northern mockingbird is the state bird of New Jersey. Abundant mockingbird populations breed in forests, wetlands, suburbs, and cities across the state. Some remain along the Atlantic coast through the winter.
Tennessee
The mockingbird is the state bird of Tennessee. This species flourishes in the state’s variety of habitats including woodlands, parks, gardens, and farms. Mockingbird song is a regular soundtrack of Tennessee throughout the seasons.
Maryland
Maryland’s state bird is also the northern mockingbird. This species is a common breeder across the state. Some mockingbirds overwinter along the Atlantic coast and Chesapeake Bay areas of Maryland.
Arkansas
The mockingbird is the state bird of Arkansas. This species is abundant statewide in forests, meadows, swamps, and developed areas. Mockingbirds provide a near constant musical backdrop in spring and summer across the Natural State.
Maine
On the northern edge of the mockingbird’s range, Maine is home to small but growing populations mostly clustered along the southern coast. In recent decades mockingbirds have expanded northward into the state.
Table of Northern Mockingbird Populations by State
State | Breeding Population Estimate | Winter Population Estimate | Noteworthy Details |
---|---|---|---|
Texas | 5,000,000-10,000,000 | 5,000,000-10,000,000 | Official state bird, widespread and common year-round |
Florida | 1,000,000-5,000,000 | 1,000,000-5,000,000 | Abundant year-round, especially south Florida |
California | 500,000-1,000,000 | 250,000-500,000 | Numerous along southern coast, some migrate |
Louisiana | 500,000-1,000,000 | 500,000-1,000,000 | Common resident throughout the state |
Georgia | 500,000-1,000,000 | 500,000-1,000,000 | Abundant statewide, some winter dispersal |
Oklahoma | 500,000-1,000,000 | 100,000-250,000 | Summer resident, some remain through winter |
Alabama | 250,000-500,000 | 250,000-500,000 | Common year-round statewide |
South Carolina | 250,000-500,000 | 250,000-500,000 | Coastal scrub habitat, winters along coast |
Mississippi | 250,000-500,000 | 250,000-500,000 | Ideal habitat, abundant resident |
North Carolina | 250,000-500,000 | 100,000-250,000 | Some migrate south, others remain along coast |
Conclusion
In summary, the northern mockingbird breeds in appropriate habitat across much of the continental United States. The highest breeding densities occur in southern and south-central states like Texas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, and the Carolinas. While some mockingbirds migrate south for winter, sizable populations remain through the winter across the southern tier of states and along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of California, Maryland, and the northeastern states.
Wherever they occur, northern mockingbirds are known for their intelligence, adaptability, vocal abilities, and aggressive defense of breeding territories. These iconic American songbirds bring their musical voices to backyards and urban areas across their widespread range.