Northern Mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos

The Northern Mockingbird is a tireless singer. Its Latin name means mimic of tongues, and it has an astonishing ability to repeat the songs of other birds as well as other sounds. Many reports of enormous repertories exist, the greatest being 39 bird songs and 50 calls -- plus the sounds of a frog and a cricket.

Look For : A long-tailed songbird, gray above, paler below; wings have two slender wing bars and a large white patch. The outer tail feathers are white. Short, thin bill.

Length : 9-11".

Habitat : Forest edges, fields, residential areas.

Range : Most of U.S., except northwestern and north-central states.