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Songbirds
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
The northern mockingbird is a mockingbird commonly found in North America, of the family Mimidae. The species is also found in some parts of the Caribbean, as well as on the Hawaiian Islands.
Slim and gray with a long tail and white wing patches; mimics other birds.
- Scientific name
- Mimus polyglottos
- Group
- Songbirds
- Main color
- Gray
- Conservation (IUCN)
- Least concern
Size and shape
Northern mockingbirds measure from 20.5 to 28 cm (8.1 to 11.0 in) including a tail almost as long as its body.
Diet
The birds' diet consists of arthropods (such as spiders, grasshoppers, wasps, bees, ants, beetles, butterflies, and caterpillars), earthworms, berries, fruits, seeds, and occasionally flowers, small crustaceans, and lizards (Anolis spp.).
Range and habitat
The mockingbird's breeding range is from the Maritime provinces of southern Canada, westwards to southern Oregon, and south through practically the entire continental United States south of the northern Plains states and Pacific Northwest, the Greater Antilles, and the majority of Mexico to eastern Oaxaca and Veracruz.
Voice
Among the vocalizations it imitates are songs of the Carolina wren, northern cardinal, tufted titmouse, eastern towhee, house sparrow, wood thrush, and eastern bluebird, calls of the northern flicker and great crested flycatcher, jeers and pumphandles of the blue jay, and alarms, chups, and chirrs of the American robin.
More photos
Northern Mockingbird FAQ
How big is the Northern Mockingbird?
Northern mockingbirds measure from 20.5 to 28 cm (8.1 to 11.0 in) including a tail almost as long as its body.
What does the Northern Mockingbird eat?
The birds' diet consists of arthropods (such as spiders, grasshoppers, wasps, bees, ants, beetles, butterflies, and caterpillars), earthworms, berries, fruits, seeds, and occasionally flowers, small crustaceans, and lizards (Anolis spp.).
How do I identify a Northern Mockingbird?
Slim and gray with a long tail and white wing patches; mimics other birds.
Where does the Northern Mockingbird live?
The mockingbird's breeding range is from the Maritime provinces of southern Canada, westwards to southern Oregon, and south through practically the entire continental United States south of the northern Plains states and Pacific Northwest, the Greater Antilles, and the majority of Mexico to eastern Oaxaca and Veracruz.
Is the Northern Mockingbird endangered?
No. The IUCN Red List rates the Northern Mockingbird as least concern (status read from Wikidata).
Facts on this page are summarized from the Wikipedia article on the Northern Mockingbird (read October 27, 2026) and conservation status from Wikidata. Quick ID notes are Birdstagram's own summary.