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Northern Mockingbird

Status Uncommon fall and winter visitant, rare in summer. Breeds. The status of this bird is somewhat of an enigma. It is rare in spring and summer, when it should be at peak abundance. One would expect most to leave at the approach of cold weather, but instead it is seen much more frequently during October and November, and numbers of these late fall birds remain throughout the winter. Not storm-borne but apparently here of their own volition, a fairly large portion of these winter waifs become regular patrons at feeding stations and are thus greatly assisted in what must be a struggle for survival. Reports of overwintering Northern Mockingbirds have increased since the mid-1970s but vary from year to year. During fall 1980 about 50 individuals were seen, and 22 were recorded on Christmas Bird Counts that year. In 1981-82, 27 were reported to have wintered, 15 wintered in 1982-83 and 17 wintered in 1983-84.

Description Length: 23-25.5 cm. Adults: Pale gray above; wings and tail black or brownish black, showing white patches on wings, especially when in flight; outer tail feathers conspicuously white; below very pale gray, almost white.

Breeding Nest: In thick bushes at low heights; loosely constructed of twigs and grass stems, and usually lined with rootlets. Eggs: 3-5; pale blue to greenish blue, sometimes washed with pink, blotched or spotted with brown of various shades. During June and July 1938 a pair was seen frequently in the vicinity of a vacant lot on Jubilee Road in Halifax. The song of the male, particularly in early morning and late in the day, attracted considerable local attention. Although it was realized by those who recognized the bird that it must be one of a breeding pair, it was not until August that Fred H. Sexton discovered the nest in a hawthorn bush growing on the vacant lot. Perched near the nest were "several" fledglings still showing much natal down, while the parent birds scolded close by (H.F. Munro and F.H. Sexton). This was the only nesting record for Nova Scotia for many years. A second record was of a nest at Debert, Colchester County, in 1957, and a third record was of a nest at Pine Hill College, in the City of Halifax in 1958. A fourth nest was found at Glace Bay in summer 1971, and since 1974 nesting has become regular, with one to three nests reported most years.

Range Breeds regularly in southern Ontario and sporadically in the southern parts of all provinces, except P.E.I., at one time or another. Occurs regularly throughout much of the United States, south to the Greater Antilles, the Gulf of Mexico and Mexico.

Remarks This bird will take various foods in winter: frozen grapes, apples, barberries, climbing-rose and multiflora-rose hips, hawthorn berries, meat scraps, bread crumbs, elderberries, raisins and suet. It is pugnacious at feeding stations and successfully drives off contenders. Its distinctive size and general appearance preclude the likelihood of its being confused with any other species.