Watercolor portrait of Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

Northern Mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos
Largely resident Open and semi-open habitats, frequently… Song

Learn to identify the Northern Mockingbird by ear. Master the "mimic master" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“varied medley”

What the Northern Mockingbird sounds like

Medium-sized songbird with smooth gray upperparts and a whitish belly. It has long legs and a long tail that it often flicks upward. Notable white wing patches flash when it flies or when it spreads its wings in display. Often observed singing continuously from treetops, roofs, or fence posts, and known for its impressive repertoire of mimicked sounds.

“mimic master”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A long, variable series of phrases, each repeated 2-6 times before changing, often imitating other birds and noises. A single sequence can go on for minutes. For example: "chirp-chirp-chirp ... tweet-tweet-tweet ... clack-clack-clack ..." mixing blue jay calls, car alarm imitations, cardinal whistles, etc., back to back. The overall effect is a loud, rambling musical performance that can be heard day or night. Often written as “varied medley”.
Don't confuse with:The Gray Catbird — catbirds are a bit smaller, uniformly charcoal-gray with a black cap and a rust-red patch under the tail.

Lessons featuring the Northern Mockingbird

Ready to test your ear? Practice identifying the Northern Mockingbird's sounds in these interactive in-app lessons.

Park Songposts lesson habitat
Park Songposts
Tier 2 · Around the Block
The Mimic Trap lesson habitat
The Mimic Trap
Tier 8 · Edges & Echoes
Start Learning Free

Where you'll hear it

Open and semi-open habitats, frequently near humans. Thrives in suburbs, towns, parks, and rural farmyards. Also found in open country with thickets, forest edges, and scrubby deserts. Requires some dense shrubs or hedges for nesting and cover, but prefers adjacent open areas like lawns, pastures, or roads for feeding. Range spans much of the US (especially the South and mid-Atlantic) and into Mexico; generally avoids deep woods.

In spring, males that haven't attracted a mate may sing day and night, with nocturnal singing especially common on bright moonlit nights. Pairs build twiggy nests in bushes or low trees; they may raise 2-3 broods from spring into late summer. Both sexes aggressively defend the nest area, dive-bombing cats, crows, or humans who get too close. Summer is filled with almost nonstop singing and territorial chases. In fall, singing diminishes and the birds focus on fattening up on berries; young of the year disperse to find their own territories. Through winter, mockingbirds remain territorial, often defending berry-laden bushes against others. They usually sing less in winter, but may still practice snippets of their song on warm days. By late winter, the volume and frequency of singing increases again as they court mates and prepare to nest.

Similar species

Gray Catbird

Catbirds are a bit smaller, uniformly charcoal-gray with a black cap and a rust-red patch under the tail.

Loggerhead Shrike

Shrikes are smaller with a stouter, hooked bill and a broad black mask through the eye.

Northern Mockingbird song FAQ

What does a Northern Mockingbird sound like?
A long, variable series of phrases, each repeated 2-6 times before changing, often imitating other birds and noises. A single sequence can go on for minutes. For example: "chirp-chirp-chirp ... tweet-tweet-tweet ... clack-clack-clack ..." mixing blue jay calls, car alarm imitations, cardinal whistles, etc., back to back. The overall effect is a loud, rambling musical performance that can be heard day or night. Listen for the "mimic master" phrase.
How do I tell a Northern Mockingbird from a Gray Catbird by sound?
Gray Catbird: Catbirds are a bit smaller, uniformly charcoal-gray with a black cap and a rust-red patch under the tail.; They lack white wing patches and are more often hidden in thickets.; Catbirds also have a quieter, more scratchy song (though also mimics to a degree) and a distinctive cat-like "mew" call..
When is the best time to hear a Northern Mockingbird?
In spring, males that haven't attracted a mate may sing day and night, with nocturnal singing especially common on bright moonlit nights. Pairs build twiggy nests in bushes or low trees; they may raise 2-3 broods from spring into late summer. Both sexes aggressively defend the nest area, dive-bombing cats, crows, or humans who get too close. Summer is filled with almost nonstop singing and territorial chases. In fall, singing diminishes and the birds focus on fattening up on berries; young of the year disperse to find their own territories. Through winter, mockingbirds remain territorial, often defending berry-laden bushes against others. They usually sing less in winter, but may still practice snippets of their song on warm days. By late winter, the volume and frequency of singing increases again as they court mates and prepare to nest.