Mississippi State Bird
Northern Mockingbird (common name)  Mimus polyglottos (scientific name) Overview The northern mockingbird is a medium-sized bird with long legs and tail and short, rounded wings. It has a light gray back and a whitish underside. Its wings and tail are darker gray with white patches. The mockingbird was adopted as state bird by Florida and Texas in 1927, Arkansas in 1929, Tennessee in 1933, and Mississippi in 1944. These states chose it for its beauty, its versatile song, and its prevalence throughout the South, especially around farms. Song is an essential part of the bird's mating process. Males use their song both to attract mates and to mark their territory. They sing often, both day and night. The mockingbird feeds on insects and seasonal fruit including blackberries, grapes, holly, prickly pears, pokeberries, and even poison ivy. Close-up STATUS Official ALSO KNOWN AS Mocker, American nightingale PHYSICAL DETAILS  Male Female  Size Length to end of tail: 8.5 to 10 in (22-25.5 cm) Wing from flexure: 4.8 to 5.4 in (12.2-13.8 cm) Length of tail: 6 in (15 cm) Length to end of tail: 8.1 to 9.2 in (20.8-23.5 cm) Wing from flexure: 12.2 to 13.7 in (31-35 cm) Length of tail: 6 in (15 cm)  Weight 1.7 oz (51 g) 1.6 oz (47 g) BEHAVIOR This conspicuous bird is typically found singing while perched on fences, trees, or telephone wires; it can also be spotted running along the ground, alone or in pairs, foraging for food. Mockingbirds will aggressively chase intruders off their territory. Males perform a flight display to attract and court mates. HABITAT Northern mockingbirds are a common sight in residential areas, farmlands, orchards, parks, open grassy areas with thickets, and even brushy deserts. They prefer open areas and forest edges. Range: From northern Utah to Newfoundland in the north, and south to Mexico. Migration: Permanent resident. Conservation status: LC (Least concern). The species is protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act. NESTING Nesting Period: 12-13 days Size of Clutch: 2-6 eggs Incubation Period: 12-13 days Egg Description: Light blue or greenish and speckled. Egg Size: 1.0 in (25 mm) SIMILAR SPECIES Loggerhead shrike, northern shrike, gray catbird, sage thrasher, Townsend's solitaire, blue-gray gnatcatcher TRIVIA Northern mockingbirds communicate primarily using song. They can perform dozens of different songs and even more call notes, and they can mimic dogs barking, pianos, sirens, and squeaky gates.
	Click to enlarge an image Male Northern Mockingbird Female Northern Mockingbird Northern Mockingbird Chick Northern Mockingbird Eggs Northern Mockingbird Chasing Off Hawk Northern Mockingbird Distribution Map (pdf) CLASSIFICATION Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Mimidae Genus: Mimus Species: M. polyglottos
	Author: World Trade Press