A gray northern mockingbird perched on a post. — Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Northern Mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos

A gray songbird famous for copying the songs of other birds and even frogs and dogs; a male may learn about 200 songs.

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About the Northern Mockingbird

Northern mockingbirds are 8.3 to 10.2 inches long and weigh about 1.6 to 2 ounces. They are gray-brown with white patches on the wings that flash when they fly. They live year-round across the United States, the Caribbean, southern Canada, Mexico and Central America, in open areas like farms, parks and backyards. They eat insects in summer and berries and fruit in winter.^[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name: Mimus polyglottos^[1]
Size: 8.3 to 10.2 inches long; 12- to 14-inch wingspan.^[1]
Weight: About 1.6 to 2 ounces.^[1]
Lifespan: About 8 years in the wild; up to 20 in human care.^[1]
Diet: Insects in summer; berries and fruit in winter.^[1]
Habitat: Open areas such as forest edges, farms, parks and backyards.^[1]
Where it lives: The United States, southern Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.^[1]
Group life: Alone most of the year; pairs in the breeding season.^[1]
Babies: 3 or 4 eggs.^[1]
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2025).^[2]

Fun facts

A male mockingbird may learn around 200 songs.^[1]
Mockingbirds can copy frogs and dogs as well as other birds.^[1]
Both male and female mockingbirds sing.^[1]

Vocabulary

mimic: To copy the sounds or looks of something else.
songbird: A perching bird that can sing; songbirds make up about half of all bird species.
territory: An area an animal claims and defends.
clutch: A group of eggs laid at one time.
least concern: A conservation label meaning a species is widespread and not at risk of dying out soon.

See it in person

Smithsonian's National ZooWashington, D.C. · Bird HouseSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗

These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.

Sources

[1] Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. “Northern mockingbird.” https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/northern-mockingbird (accessed 2026-10-08)
[2] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Mimus polyglottos (Northern Mockingbird).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22711026/137499595 (accessed 2026-10-08)

Facts last checked 2026-10-08.

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