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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. LIX
Field-journal plate: Northern Mockingbird
The Northern Mockingbird plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate LIX

Northern Mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos

Mimidae · Taxon 14886

Length21–26 cm (8.3–10.2 in)
Wingspan31–35 cm (12.2–13.8 in)
Weight45–58 g (1.6–2.0 oz)

Field marks

  1. Slender, medium-sized songbird with a notably long tail.
  2. Gray-brown upperparts and paler whitish underparts.
  3. Two white wingbars and a white wing patch, especially conspicuous in flight.
  4. White outer tail feathers flash when the tail is spread in flight.
  5. Long, thin, slightly downcurved dark bill; small head and long legs.

HabitatOpen ground with dense low shrubs, including woodland edges, brushy thickets, farmland, parkland, and developed green spaces.

BehaviorOften conspicuous on exposed perches or moving on open ground; may flash the white wing patches while running. Highly vocal, delivering varied phrases with repeated imitations; territorial birds chase intruders.

Palette

gray-brownpale graywhitishblackdark gray