Northern Mockingbirds in Hawaii
When mockingbirds are present in Hawaii, when they nest, which native Hawaii plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 9a–13a yard.
- Status in Hawaii
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- February–August
- Broods
- 2–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 9a–13a
- Range note
- Introduced; established on the main islands.
When to expect mockingbirds in Hawaii
Northern Mockingbirds live in Hawaii all year — introduced; established on the main islands. No true winter; rain falls mainly November–March on windward sides. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward holly, hackberry, pokeweed and multiflora fruit.
Tropical, with wet windward slopes, dry leeward coasts and cool upland forest above 3,000 ft.
Nesting in Hawaii
Across Hawaii, mockingbirds typically nest from February–August. Nest site: twig cup in shrubs and small trees 3–10 ft up. Females lay 2–6 eggs, incubate for 12–13 days, and young leave the nest after 12–13 days.
Most backyard birds are introduced species; native honeycreepers persist mostly in high-elevation forest.
- Northern Mockingbirds don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as ʻōhiʻa lehua, naio, ʻūlei for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after August.
Native Hawaii plants that attract mockingbirds
Of the regional native plants we track for Hawaii, these 4 provide food or cover mockingbirds use:
The keystone native tree; red blossoms are nectar for honeycreepers.
Native coastal to montane shrub with small white fruit.
Native rose-family shrub with white fruit.
Coastal groundcover that supports insects and seed-eaters.
Feeding mockingbirds through the Hawaii year
Mockingbirds defend fruiting shrubs from other birds all winter; plant several berry bushes to spread them out.
- Best foods: Suet, Fruit, Mealworms.
- In Hawaii's winter: No true winter; rain falls mainly November–March on windward sides.
Full diet breakdown for mockingbirds · Best feeder for mockingbirds
Frequently asked
Are mockingbirds in Hawaii year-round?
Yes. Northern Mockingbirds are year-round residents in Hawaii. Introduced; established on the main islands.
When do mockingbirds nest in Hawaii?
Nesting in Hawaii typically runs February–August, with 2–3 per season. Clutches are 2–6 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days.
What native plants attract mockingbirds in Hawaii?
ʻŌhiʻa lehua, Naio, ʻŪlei, Pōhinahina are native plants in Hawaii that provide food or cover for mockingbirds.
Northern Mockingbirds in other regions
Other backyard birds in Hawaii
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
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Hawaii
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
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.