Mockingbirds and thrashers (Mimidae)
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos. Insects in summer; fruit in fall and winter.
Mockingbirds and thrashers (Mimidae)Northern MockingbirdMimus polyglottos
- Scientific name
- Mimus polyglottos
- Length
- 8.3–10.2 in
- Weight
- 1.6–2 oz
- Nest
- Twig cup in shrubs and small trees 3–10 ft up
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 2–6 eggs
- Incubation
- 12–13 days
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
Identification
- Grey with white wing patches that flash in flight
- Long tail with white outer feathers
- Yellow eye
Voice
Endless strings of mimicked phrases, each repeated 2–6 times; sings at night in spring.
Diet and feeding
Insects in summer; fruit in fall and winter.
Northern Mockingbirds by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | February–August |
| Arizona | Year-round resident | February–August |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | March–August |
| California | Year-round resident | February–August |
| Colorado | Summer breeder | March–August |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Florida | Year-round resident | February–August |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | February–August |
| Hawaii | Year-round resident | February–August |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | February–August |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | February–August |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | March–August |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | March–August |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | March–August |
| New York | Year-round resident | March–August |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | March–August |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | February–August |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Texas | Year-round resident | February–August |
| Utah | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | March–August |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | March–August |
Frequently asked
What do mockingbirds eat?
Insects in summer; fruit in fall and winter. At feeders: suet, fruit, mealworms.
How big is a Northern Mockingbird?
8.3–10.2 in long and 1.6–2 oz.
Do mockingbirds use birdhouses?
No. Twig cup in shrubs and small trees 3–10 ft up.
Sources
- Northern Mockingbird — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Mockingbird life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Northern Mockingbird — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.