Northern Mockingbird
The bird being featured today is non other than the Northern Mockingbird, one of my favorite birds.
This bird is an omnivore. It eats both insects and fruit. It’s often found in open areas and forest edges but forages in grassy land.
The northern mockingbird is a medium-sized mimid that has long legs and tail. Both males and females look alike. Its upper parts are colored gray, while its underparts have a white or whitish-gray color. It has parallel wing bars on the half of the wings connected near the white patch giving it a distinctive appearance in flight. The black central rectrices and typical white lateral rectrices are also noticeable in flight. The iris is usually a light green-yellow or a yellow, but there have been instances of an orange color. The bill is black with a brownish black appearance at the base. The juvenile appearance is marked by its streaks on its back, distinguished spots and streaks on its chest, and a gray or grayish-green iris.
They have adapted very well living in urban or suburban areas. They are territorial birds and very intelligent according to studies. They also are known for imitating calls and song copied from other birds. They possess a great memory and are practically fearless when confronting enemies.
Photo Gallery
Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
As usual, informative and well illustrated with your excellent photographs.
Thank you so much Susan! 🙂
I keep hoping to see one soon up here. Thanks for reminding me how wonderful they are. 🙂
I always want to have one present in my backyard, they keep order and the place safe. I’ll send you one soon! Thanks Lisa! 🙂
Your pictures are very crisp HJ.
Better light, less shadows! Thanks! 🙂
My favorite small(er) bird too! I love how they can imitate other birds and present several different songs all in one “verse” 🙂
They’re very smart birds! Thank you Tiny! 🙂
Great series and narrative HJ! I have had one frequenting the telephone pole in my backyard for years. He’s very entertaining. He often imitates a car alarm from the top of the telephone pole, and he’s a bit of a bully. I’ve seen him dive-bombing a neighbors cat, and the crows. Coincidentally I just photographed him today b/c he had a nice fat, juicy bee in its beak for dinner. 🙂
Thank you Deborah! They are fine birds with many talents, I like them a lot! 🙂
Wonderful gallery, H.J.! I wish I had one of these fellows in my yard!
Thank you Amy! Never lose hope! 🙂