Northern Mockingbird Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  A medium-sized songbird, a bit more slender than a thrush and with a longer tail. Mockingbirds have small heads, a long, thin bill with a hint of a downward curve, and long legs. Their wings are short, rounded, and broad, making the tail seem particularly long in flight.

  Relative Size

  Slightly larger than a Gray Catbird

  robin-sized

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 8.3-10.2 in (21-26 cm)
    • Weight: 1.6-2.0 oz (45-58 g)
    • Wingspan: 12.2-13.8 in (31-35 cm)

  © Jay McGowan / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  Mockingbirds are overall gray-brown, paler on the breast and belly, with two white wingbars on each wing. A white patch in each wing is often visible on perched birds, and in flight these become large white flashes. The white outer tail feathers are also flashy in flight.

• Behavior

  The Northern Mockingbird enjoys making its presence known. It usually sits conspicuously on high vegetation, fences, eaves, or telephone wires, or runs and hops along the ground. Found alone or in pairs throughout the year, mockingbirds aggressively chase off intruders on their territory.
• Habitat

  Look for Northern Mockingbirds in towns, suburbs, backyards, parks, forest edges, and open land at low elevations.