Science Corner - The Incredibly Cool Northern Mockingbird

Kristie Ehrhardt • July 2, 2024

The Northern Mockingbird is a medium-sized songbird, roughly about the size of an American Robin. It’s kind of “blah” looking with its small head, long legs, and primarily grayish-brown body and lighter gray breast. Its wings are compact, roundish and broad, which appears to exaggerate the length of the tail when in flight. Each wing has two white wing bars which are visible when the wings are folded and a flashy white patch on the underside visible in flight. This white blob under each wing and a couple of white tail edges are seemingly perhaps the only ornate thing about this medium sized gray bird.

 

But wait, there’s more!

 

Their latin name, Mimus polyglottis, translates “many tongued mimic” and that it is! The male Northern Mockingbird has hundreds of songs in his repertoire and it’s now believed that he learned most of them before he even became an adult. This little disc jockey borrows material from other species of birds that they hear in their environment. They mix these borrowed tunes with their own and throw in some electronic sounds like car alarms, sirens, machinery. They pick up the sounds of musical instruments, dogs barking and even the sounds of frogs and toads. How’s that for fusion? Sometimes they mimic so well that if it weren’t for their tell-tale phrasing it might be hard to determine if it’s indeed the species being mocked or if it’s a Northern Mockingbird (NoMo) singing a cappella style. The male especially possesses some impressive improvisation skills and sometimes only uses certain songs once a season. His enthusiasm for serenading females is thought to convey that he will be a good provider for her and their offspring.

 

And, sometimes they just can’t stop singing. Interestingly, they’re one of the only song birds that sings at night. And they’re LOUD. And, they sing ALL NIGHT. Right outside your window. All night. Loud and proud. In all honesty, I think it is so cool to hear them singing in the dark, I don’t think I would ever get tired of it! Usually, the vocal marathons are either young males that haven’t found their duet partner yet or they’re older males that have lost their mate. They sing to attract a mate and to defend their territory although sometimes it seems that they sing just to hear themselves. And because the NoMo depends on their personal compositions rather than fancy, colorful feathers to attract a mate, it is believed that the more impressive the repertoire, the better equipped the male is to defend its territory, find food and raise young. The males are especially territorial and will dive bomb anything, even snakes or people that dare get too close to their nest. Beak to beak encounters usually result in a staring contest and some posturing and flashing of white patches until the other bird flies off. They will even defend their favorite food sources with vigor.

 

Northern Mockingbirds have adapted to life with humans extremely well. They like to be heard but they also like to be seen, perching conspicuously on fence posts or out in the open. They are common in suburban areas as well as open wildlands and forest edges. They are common in parks and backyards although they don’t visit bird feeders as often as other species of song birds do. They are omnivores and prefer insects during the summer months and fruit and nuts in the winter. They range throughout Mexico, the United States and southern Canada and although some migrate, most individuals do not.

 

Northern Mockingbirds are monogamous and mate for life. The male will begin building several stick nests and the female makes the final choice and finishes the chosen nest lining it with roots, grasses, animal hair and other soft material. Sadly, some nests also contain trash like cigarette filters and plastic. They are prolific breeders and a single pair may have six or seven clutches in just one season. One female laid an astonishing 27 eggs during a single nesting season.

 

Lady Northern Mockingbirds aren’t the only one who finds the male’s singing enchanting though. In the early 19th century, prior to the protections of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the East Coast population was nearly decimated due to the illegal pet trade. A particularly vocal bird could fetch $50 in the late 1920’s, that’s about $1,300 in today’s dollars. Thomas Jefferson was particularly fond of them as well and had one named Dick that was also a resident of the White House. The oldest known wild NoMo was nearly 15 years old but most live to about the age of six, captive birds can live up to 20 years.


It’s been said that these birds put all of their color into their songs and that they specialize in vocal excess. This feels like a spot on description of them.


-Kristie Ehrhardt (kehrhardt@tuleyome.org)

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager

RECENT ARTICLES

By Nate Lillge July 2, 2025
We are excited to announce the dates for next year's Certified California Naturalist courses! Our multi-week course will be held Fridays, January 16 to March 6 with three field trips held on Saturdays. Our one-week immersive course at Wilbur Hot Springs Resort is April 12 - 17 . Tuleyome’s Certified California Naturalist (CalNat) program trains members of the public to become California Naturalists. No advanced degree or previous naturalist experience is required – Tuleyome teaches you everything you need to know to become certified. Our course is focused on the northern inner Coast Range mountains, specifically the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. The program, developed by the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, is designed to introduce Californians to the wonders of our unique ecology and engage the public in study and stewardship of California’s natural communities. The California Naturalist program uses science curriculum, hands-on learning, problem-solving, participatory science, and community service to instill a deep appreciation for the natural communities of the state and to inspire individuals to become stewards of their local resources. Courses combine classroom and field experience in science, problem-solving, communication training and community service, taught by an instructor and team of experts. Check out the Certified California Naturalist page for more information. -Nate Lillge (nlillge@tuleyome.org) Tuleyome Adventures and Engagement Director Certified California Naturalist
By Bill Grabert July 2, 2025
Tuleyome thanks Kim Longworth for her work as part of Tuleyome’s volunteer Board of Directors. Kim joined Tuleyome’s Board of Directors to advance our mission to conserve, enhance, restore, and enjoy our public lands in Northern California, specifically the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region. She took on many tasks during her tenure on the Board including assisting with grant writing and educational programming. Although Kim is stepping down from the Board, she is not parting ways with Tuleyome. She will continue to support Tuleyome’s mission as an event participant and in other ways. Thank you, Kim! -Bill Grabert (Volunteer Tuleyome Board Member) and Nate Lillge (Adventures and Engagement Director)
By Sandra Schubert July 2, 2025
As the tenth anniversary of the establishment of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, July 10 th , approaches, I find myself reflecting on how we got here and what our public lands mean to us as individuals and as a nation. Our lands defined, and define, our nation. “O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!” At a time when our nation is getting more partisan and we see more anger in the news, it's important to remember that our public lands are not a partisan issue. They belong to all of us, they are important to all of us, and they are for everyone. Our public lands are for hikers and bikers, hunters and photographers, people and puppy dogs, wheelchairs and OHVs. They are for Republicans, Democrats, Independents, decline to states and folks that don’t care about politics. They are for people of all colors, genders, religions, shades and stripes. They are for citizens, immigrants and visitors. They are for mountain lions and tadpoles, bears and hummingbirds, otters and spiders. They are our public lands. The belong to all of us and we belong to them. Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument represents America – a diverse community of people with different interest and beliefs who came together to protect something special. It started out as a mere idea. First, it was just a handful of kindred folks but then more and more joined in soon creating a crescendo of motivated and united voices. It grew until it was a community, a movement, fighting together to protect a place that we all love. We all fought for our Monument. People from all walks of life: hunters, politicians, decision-makers, conservationists, recreationists, scientists, businesses, veterans, community and tribal leaders. Government officials from all levels of government and all parties joined us. Dreamers and planners, lovers and fighters locked arms. We all stood together and fought for Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and Molok Luyuk. And look at what we accomplished together! We protected 344,476 acres in the heart of the Northern Inner Coastal Range. We protected a place whose geology and botany are so magnificent that people come from the world over to see and study them. We protected a place so beautiful it takes your breath away with its rare wetlands and meadows full of wildflowers, its vistas that last for hundreds of miles and its night sky that illuminates every detail of the Milky Way. We protected a place where major rivers flow and streams wander throughout the countryside. We protected tule elk, bald and golden eagles, perch, frogs, bears and salamanders. We protected a place steeped in millennia of Native American culture and history and that is one of the most linguistically diverse in California. We protected our special places, our public lands. And we did it, all of us together. This is what we can do when we remember that despite all of our differences, we are one nation, indivisible. America the Beautiful O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern, impassioned stress A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law! O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine, Till all success be nobleness, And every gain divine! O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed His grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! by Katharine Lee Bates Happy 4 th of July! -Sandy Schubert Executive Director