Northern Mockingbird
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Mimidae Genus: Mimus
Species: Mimus polyglottos
Although the Northern Mockingbird is now abundant in number, it was once almost made extinct in certain parts of the East Coast during the 1800s, when it was frequently captured and kept in captivity as a cage bird due to its beautiful singing. It has the ability to mimic the calls of numerous birds, and its scientific name, Mimus polyglottos, comes from the Latin word mimus for “mimic” and the greek words polus for “many” and glossa for “tongue”. As you may have guessed, the scientific name of the Northern Mockingbird literally means “mimicker of many tongues”, which refers to its amazing singing abilities. It can learn up to 200 songs in a lifetime, and some males sing all day. It is very territorial, whether that be towards dogs, cats, or even birds of its own kind. It also has high intelligence and has been proven to recognize human faces that have threatened a nest in the past.
Conservation status: Least concern
Description: Grey above with a light underbelly and relatively long tail; has white patches on wings visible in flight
Length: 10 inches
Wingspan: 14 inches
Diet: Fruits, berries, and invertebrates
Habitat: Open areas, old fields, and roadsides; often perches on wires
Season: All year
Credit source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
