Northern Mockingbird

Description:

Northern Mockingbirds are medium-sized mimids that have long legs and tails, with abridged and arched wings. The Mockingbirds' color is either a gray with a grayish-brown tint for its upperparts, while its underparts have a white or whitish-gray color. It has parallel wing bars on its adjacent half of the wings conntected with its white patch that has a distinguished appearance in flight. The black central retrices and typical white lateral retrices also are noticeable in flight. The iris is usually a light green-yellow or a yellow, but has been instances of a orange color. The bill is black with a brownish black appearance at the base. The juvenile appearance is marked by its streaks on its back, distinguished spots and streaks on its chest, and a gray or grayish-green iris. Mockingbirds measure from 20.5 to 28 cm (8.1 to 11 in) including a tail almost as long as its body. The wingspan can range from 31–38 cm (12–15 in) and body mass is from 40–58 g (1.4–2.0 oz). Males tend to be slightly larger than females.

Habitat:

The Mockingbird usually resides in vacated areas and forest edges. It is usually sighted in farmlands, roadsides, city parks, suburban areas, and open grassy areas with thickets and brushy deserts. When foraging for food, it prefers short grass or sheer substrate. It also has an affinity for mowed lawns. This bird refrains from residing within densely forested areas.

Notes:

In a paper published in 2009, researchers found that mockingbirds were able to recall an individual human who, earlier in the study, had approached and threatened the mockingbirds' nest. Researchers had one participant stand near a mockingbird nest and touch it, while others avoided the nest. Later, the mockingbirds recognized the intruder and exhibited defensive behavior, while ignoring the other individuals. (This was taken out of the camera earlier this month but I'm sure that this was taken in January 2012 in my yard) I believe this is the female that mated with our resident male. They had 3 beautiful fledgelings this year.