Tropical Mockingbird

The tropical mockingbird (Mimus gilvus) is a medium-sized bird, with adults measuring between 23 to 25.5 cm in length. It exhibits a predominantly gray plumage on the head and upper parts, while the underparts are an off-white shade. A distinctive whitish supercilium contrasts with a dark stripe through the eye. The wings are blackish, adorned with two white wing bars and white-edged flight feathers. Its long dark tail is tipped with white, and it possesses a slim, slightly curved black bill and long dark legs. Juvenile birds are somewhat browner with dusky streaks on their chest and flanks.

Identification Tips

To identify the tropical mockingbird, look for its gray upper parts, white underparts, and the characteristic white wing bars. The white tips on the long tail are also a key feature. The bird's slim, curved bill and long legs are useful identification markers as well.

Habitat

This species thrives in open habitats such as scrublands, savannas, parks, and farmlands. It tends to avoid dense forests and mangroves, preferring lowlands to middle elevations, up to about 2,500 m in Central America and the northern Andes.

Distribution

The tropical mockingbird is a resident breeding bird found from southern Mexico to northern and eastern South America, as well as in the Lesser Antilles and other Caribbean islands. It has a wide distribution with several subspecies occupying various regions, including the Yucatán Peninsula, the Lesser Antilles, Trinidad and Tobago, and parts of Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil.

Behaviour

This bird is known for its omnivorous diet, feeding on the ground or low in vegetation, and even capturing flying insects in mid-air. It is also observed to consume a variety of fruits, seeds, arthropods, and occasionally lizards and eggs. The tropical mockingbird is monogamous and may exhibit cooperative breeding, with previous brood offspring acting as helpers.

Song & Calls

The song of the tropical mockingbird is a diverse and prolonged sequence of mellow to harsh notes and trills, with phrases often repeated. It is known to sing throughout the night and has a repertoire that includes a resonant 'pree-ew' and a harsh 'chick' or 'chek'.

Breeding

Breeding typically occurs from the late wet season into the early wet season, with the possibility of up to three broods. Both sexes contribute to nest building, which is usually situated low in a shrub or tree. Clutch sizes range from two to four eggs, with the female primarily responsible for incubation over a period of 13 to 15 days. Both parents, and sometimes helpers, feed the chicks in the nest and continue care post-fledging.

Similar Species

The tropical mockingbird may be confused with its closest living relative, the northern mockingbird (Milvus polyglottos), but can be distinguished by its specific habitat preferences and subtle differences in plumage and size.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the tropical mockingbird is varied, including insects like termites, spiders, grasshoppers, and beetles, as well as seeds, small fruits, berries, and occasionally larger cultivated fruits. It also feeds on lizards, bird and lizard eggs, and will visit bird feeders and consume human food when available.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the tropical mockingbird as Least Concern. It is a common and conspicuous bird throughout most of its range, with some populations expanding, though there are areas, such as southeastern Brazil, where the species has faced habitat loss and illegal trapping.