Northern mockingbird

Northern mockingbird
An adult in New York City
An adult in New Hampshire
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Mimidae
Genus:	Mimus
Species:	M. polyglottos
Binomial name
Mimus polyglottos (Linnaeus, 1758)
Northern mockingbird range   Breeding range   Year-round range
Synonyms
Turdus polyglottos Linnaeus, 1758

The northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is a mockingbird commonly found in North America, of the family Mimidae. The species is found in North America and some parts of the Caribbean, as well as on the Hawaiian Islands, and has rarely been observed in Europe. It is typically a permanent resident across much of its range, but northern mockingbirds may move further south during inclement weather or prior to the onset of winter. The northern mockingbird has gray to brown upper feathers and a paler belly. Its tail and wings have white patches which are visible in flight.^[2]

Mimus polyglottos, as the species is known today, was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 10th edition of Systema Naturae (1758) as Turdus polyglottos. As with most birds in the Mimidae, the northern mockingbird is known for its "mocking", or mimicking, ability, a trait clearly described in its taxonomic name, which translate as "many-tongued mimic". Indeed, mockingbirds are known to memorize and "mock" many of the sounds they hear, somewhat like parrots and other Psittaciformes—though mockingbirds are apparently unable to form audible "words" in the same manner as parrots. Instead, they repeat specific sounds from mammals—including human sounds, such as coughing or sneezing—and other birds, a technique they utilize to defend territory, or to threaten other birds or animals. In addition to parrots, mockingbirds are among the few bird species worldwide (such as the Australian lyrebird) that can mimic the sounds of electronic devices, such as mobile phones and car alarms, as well as automobile sounds, bicycle bells, and construction site sounds

The northern mockingbird is an insectivorous, frugivorous omnivore (eating both invertebrates, larvae and fruits), and may opportunistically consume very small or young reptiles and amphibians. It is often found in open areas, open woodlands and forest edges, but forages in grassy areas. Additionally, the northern mockingbird is quite common within some large cities and towns, and very often lives in close proximity to people. In urban settings, their diet may include a larger variety of foods, both natural and scavenging from trash.

The northern mockingbird breeds in southeastern Canada, the United States, Northern Mexico, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and the Greater Antilles. It is replaced in Latin America (and most of the southern Caribbean islands) by its closest living relative, the tropical mockingbird (Mimus gilvus); the Patagonian mockingbird (Mimus patagonicus) is then seen south of the Amazon and the Pantanal, in South America. The Socorro mockingbird, an endangered species, is also closely related, contrary to previous opinion. The northern mockingbird is listed as being of least concern, from a conservation standpoint, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The northern mockingbird is known for its intelligence. Multiple studies have demonstrated the bird's capability to identify individual humans, particularly noting those who had previously been intruders or threats.^[3][4] Birds also recognize their breeding spots and return to areas in which they had greatest success in previous years. Urban birds are more likely to demonstrate this behavior.

The mockingbird is influential in United States culture, being the state bird of five states, appearing in book titles, songs and lullabies, and making other appearances in popular culture.