Bird introduction - Northern Mockingbird

Northern Mockingbird is the state bird of Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. This bird is widespread and well-known, but how much do you really know about it?

🐦Bird Introduction-Northern Mockingbird:

Northern mockingbirds may seem bland with their gray, black, and white plumage, but they are elegant and bold. Male and female mockingbirds look-alike with a medium gray head and back, darker wings with two thin white bars, and bold white wing patches. The tail is dark gray or black with white outer feathers and the chest and abdomen are white or grayish-white. These birds have a faint black stripe along the lores from the bill to the eye. In flight, the white outer tail feathers and white wing patches flash noticeably. The eyes are yellow-brown and the legs and feet are black or dark black-gray.

📝Basic Info:

Scientific Name: Mimus polyglottos
Lifespan: 7-8 years
Size: 10 inches
Weight: 1.7-1.8 ounces
Wingspan: 14-15 inches

🌎Northern Mockingbird Distribution and Habitat:

The mockingbird is generally a year-round resident of its range, but the birds that live in the northern portion of its range have been noted further south during the winter season.
The mockingbird's habitat varies by location, but it prefers open areas with sparse vegetation. In the eastern regions, suburban and urban areas such as parks and gardens are frequent residential areas. It has an affinity for mowed lawns with shrubs within proximity for shade and nesting. In western regions, desert scrub and chaparral are among their preferred habitats. When foraging for food, it prefers short grass. This bird does not nest in densely forested areas and generally resides in the same habitats year-round.

🌳Northern Mockingbird in the backyard:

Northern mockingbirds readily visit feeders where bread scraps, suet, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, apples, and raisins are available. Providing berry bushes for birds and suitable open space for foraging will make a yard even more attractive to mockingbirds.

🪺Northern Mockingbird Breeding:

Both the male and female are involved in the nest building. The male does most of the work, while the female perches on the shrub or tree where the nest is being built to watch for predators. The nest is built approximately three to ten feet above the ground. The outer part of the nest is composed of twigs, while the inner part is lined with grasses, dead leaves, moss, or artificial fibers. The eggs are a light blue or greenish color and are speckled with dots. The female lays three to five eggs, and she incubates them for nearly two weeks. Once the eggs are hatched, both the male and female will feed the chicks.
The northern mockingbird pairs hatch about two to four broods a year. In one breeding attempt, the northern mockingbird lays an average of four eggs. They are pale blue or greenish white with red or brown blotches, and measure about 25 by 18 millimeters (0.98 by 0.71 in). They hatch after about 11 to 14 days of incubation by the female. After about 10 to 15 days of life, the offspring become independent.
January 18, 2024 — Supported Customer

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