Tropical Mockingbird
Mimus gilvus
Also known as: Southern Mockingbird
About This Species
A bold, vocal mimic found in open habitats, gardens, and urban edges across northern South America and the Caribbean, often perched conspicuously on fences, wires, or low trees. It mimics the calls of other birds and can be identified by its long tail flicked upward and habit of running rather than hopping on the ground. Present and vocal throughout the year, with song most frequent during the breeding season.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- This is a confident, often approachable species around towns, but keep a comfortable distance from any bird tending a nest, since mockingbirds can become aggressive in defense of young and may be provoked into repeated stress displays.
- Bird protection laws differ across the countries in its range, so do not assume any single national rule applies universally.
- Refrain from offering food, which can draw birds into unsafe proximity to roads and people.
LCAvesPasseriformesMimidae
Seasonal Activity
594,274 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Mimidae
Photo
(c) Ad Konings, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ad Konings
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.