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The Northern Mockingbird is the state bird of Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, and Texas.
Scientific Name -
Mimus polyglottos
RANGE - North America, Central America & Southern Canada
LIFESPAN - 8 years wild (20 captive)
DIET - Variety of Fruits & insects.
WEIGHT - 1.59-2.05 ounces
LENGTH - 8 to 10 inches
WINGSPAN - 12-14 inches
STATUS - Range increases north.
PROTECTION - Not Protected
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The Northern Mockingbird is the only mockingbird found in North America. This bird is mainly a permanent resident, but some northern birds may move south during harsh weather. Many have seen these birds chasing insects down and jumping around to catch them. They frequently spread their wings in a two-step motion to display the white patches, believed by some to provoke insects to fly or jump from their hidden locations. Others believe this action is a territorial display. I think its both, check out the video below as a mockingbird has it out with a small snake. The Northern Mockingbird aggressively defends its nest against other birds and animals, including humans. Neighboring Mockingbirds are sometimes summoned by a distinct call, to join the attack against a persistent predator. Other birds have been known to gather and watch as the Mockingbirds harass intruders. Their diet is mainly insects, berries and seeds. Mockingbirds prefer trees such as maple, sweetgum and sycamore where they build a open cup nest of dead twigs lined with grasses and dead leaves. The female will lay 2 to 6 eggs and incubate them for 12 to 13 days. Hatchlings are born helpless with light gray down, however they grow quickly and can leave the nest after 10 to 12 days. When they leave the nest, the male will continue to feed them and teache them to fly. The female begins building a new nest right away, for the next brood of eggs. Northern mockingbirds can raise 2 to 4 broods each year. The fledglings become independent from their parents when they are 12 to 15 days old. The Northern Mockingbird is quite efficient at being a mimic and mimics many other birds, other animals and even mechanical noises. It is also one of the loudest and most vocal of birds, often singings through the night. Males can have a repertoire of 50 to 200 song! Females sing also, but more quietly and less often. In addition to its well-known singing, the Northern Mockingbird has a variety of distinct calls to communicate specific information.
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