The northern mockingbird is 8.3-10.2 inches in length (21-26 cm) with a wingspan of 12.2-13.8 inches (31-35 cm).
It is gray on top and white on its underside. It has white patches on its wings that look like bars; a long black tail with white outer feathers; and a long, slender bill. Males and females look alike.
The northern mockingbird lives in open country with thickets, farmland, and desert brush.
The northern mockingbird eats ants, beetles, grasshoppers, seeds, and berries.
Mating season is between March and August. During mating season, male mockingbirds may sing during the day and the night to attract a mate.
Mockingbirds build cup-shaped nests in the forks of trees or bushes. Both the male and female build the nest using twigs, leaves, and grass.
The female lays 3-5 eggs and incubates them. It takes about two weeks for the eggs to hatch. Both the female and male take care of the fledglings.
The chicks leave the nest in a little over 10 days. The female usually has two broods a year, but she can have up to four.
The northern mockingbird has an average lifespan of 8 years in the wild. It can live as long as 20 years in captivity.
The mockingbird is very territorial. It dives and attacks intruders that come too close to its territory. It may even attack its own reflection.
The mockingbird was given its name because of its ability to mimic the calls of dozens of other bird species. In fact, the mockingbird’s Latin name, Mimus polyglottos, means many-tongued mimic.
The mockingbird has even been known to mimic the sounds of dogs and sirens. The mockingbird is especially vocal on moonlit spring nights.
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The northern mockingbird is a year-round resident of New Hamphire.
The northern mockingbird is found in most of the continental United States south to Mexico. It is also found in the Caribbean.
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