The Northern Mockingbird

Learn about the Northern Mockingbird.

Welcome back to The Birder’s Way! I’m your host Caleb Shingleton. Like always I'd highly appreciate if you would kindly subscribe to my Substack, that way you will receive an email when I post.

Let’s learn 5 facts about the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos).

1. They are a overall gray-brown medium sized songbird. They are pretty common all over the United States. Note that they have a fairly long tail too.

2. One thing that the Northern Mockingbird is infamously known for is how it can mimic calls and songs of other birds.

3. The Northern Mockingbird is an official state bird to 5 different states, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. That's pretty cool if you ask me :).

4. Northern Mockingbirds are very territorial during nesting time. They many chase other birds away from the nesting area. I've even seen them dive-bombing after different hawk species. A fearless songbird indeed.

5. Northern Mockingbirds can live up to 8 years, but they have been known too live up to 20 years old when keep captive. Plus Northern Mockingbirds hit an all-time low in the 1800s because so many were being captured as pets.

The Northern Mockingbird has always fascinated me, I find it super interesting that they can mimic calls and songs of other birds. Northern Mockingbirds are pretty common in my area, though I don't get more than about 4 at a time in a day worth of birding. I've seen them warming from the sunlight on tree branches many times, I always enjoy those type of sightings.

Here is an amazing photo of a beautiful Northern Mockingbird:

Photo by, James Tornetta on eBird

If you enjoyed reading this post, I'd be very happy if you would share this with friends and family. Let’s grow the birding community together!

Until next time, happy birding!

Written by, Caleb Shingleton

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