Northern Mockingbird

Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos

The Northern Mockingbird is native to North America, but is most common in the southern regions of the United States. They are a dull grey with dark wings and distinctive white wing patches visible in flight. While commonly found in residential areas and city parks, Northern mockingbirds prefer any open area including forest edges, farmlands, thickets, and brushy deserts. These mimicking songbirds sing throughout the day and often into night, especially during a full moon, with most nocturnal singers being unmated males. Both males and females sing, but females are more quiet and rarely sing in summer. Northern mockingbirds are generally monogamous, occasionally for life. Although the females solely incubate the eggs, both parents are active in feeding and protection of their young. As omnivores, their diet consists of various insects, berries, and seeds including holly, dogwood, earthworms, wasps, ants, and small lizards.