Mississippi State Bird: Northern Mockingbird

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Fact-checked • Updated November 26, 2025

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State Bird of Mississippi

Mississippi State Bird – Northern Mockingbird

Mississippi selected the Northern Mockingbird as the state bird in 1944. Residents hear the species in towns, on farms, and near backyard gardens. Birds show gray and white plumage with sharp wing bars. Calls shift quickly between copied notes. Many sounds from nearby sources enter their daily sequences.

Gray and white 5 States Since 1944
Northern Mockingbird

Why Mississippi Chose This Bird

Lawmakers went with the obvious pick. Mockingbirds showed up everywhere in Mississippi by the 1940s. Cities had them. Farms dealt with them chasing cats off porches. You could hear one singing any day of the week, any month of the year. Familiarity won.

The bird fit Mississippi's character. Mockingbirds defend their territory hard - dive-bombing anything that gets close. Hawks, cats, dogs, people walking too near a nest. That scrappy attitude matched how Mississippians saw themselves. Plus the species lived year-round in the state, not just passing through.

Other states picked mockingbirds too. Arkansas adopted it in 1929. Tennessee followed in 1933. Florida made it official in 1927, Texas in 1927. Mississippi joined this group in 1944. Five states total share the Northern Mockingbird as their official bird.

Legislative History

  1. The 1944 Decision

    Mississippi's legislature designated the Northern Mockingbird as state bird in 1944. Women's federated clubs across the state pushed for the designation. They organized campaigns, wrote letters to representatives, gathered public support. The bill passed without much debate - legislators heard mockingbirds outside their own windows.

  2. Legal Status

    Mississippi law recognizes the mockingbird as the official state bird. The designation entered state law after its adoption in 1944. The law has remained unchanged since its adoption.

What This Bird Represents

Territorial Defense

Mockingbirds attack anything near their nest. Picture this: a crow five times their size gets dive-bombed until it leaves. That fearless defense became symbolic. Mississippians connected with the idea of protecting home territory against bigger threats.

Vocal Talent

These birds copy everything they hear. One mockingbird learns 200+ different songs in its lifetime. Cardinals, blue jays, wrens - all get mimicked. Then car alarms join the repertoire. Crickets. Squeaky gates. The species represents adaptability and persistence.

Year-Round Presence

Most songbirds leave Mississippi for winter. Mockingbirds stay. You see them in January, July, October - doesn't matter. That permanent presence meant something to people picking a state symbol. Here's why: reliability matters when choosing an emblem.

Physical Characteristics

Size and Build

Northern Mockingbirds measure 8-10 inches long with a 12-15 inch wingspan. Weight runs 1.6-2 ounces. Slim body, long tail, slightly curved bill. The tail gets used for balance during aggressive aerial displays.

Coloration

Soft gray covers the back and head. Underparts show pale gray-white, almost cream in some light. White wing patches flash bright during flight - two white bars on each wing become obvious when the bird takes off. Dark wings and tail contrast against the gray body. Eyes appear yellow to orange depending on age.

Distinguishing Features

Those white wing patches separate mockingbirds from similar gray birds. Watch them fly - the white flashes like semaphore signals. Long tail, longer than most songbirds. Thin yellow eye-ring shows up close. Bill stays dark gray-black year-round.

Behavior and Song

The Mockingbird's Song

Males sing to establish territory and attract mates. Each song lasts 2-3 seconds, then repeats 3-6 times before switching to a new sound. They cycle through their entire repertoire - sometimes 50+ different songs in one session. Night singing happens during breeding season, especially under full moons. Spring nights get loud.

Mimicry Ability

Mockingbirds copy any sound they hear repeatedly. Blue jay calls? Check. Cardinal whistles? Got it. Car alarms, cell phone ringtones, squeaky wheelbarrows - all fair game. Scientists recorded one mockingbird with 186 different song types. The Latin name Mimus polyglottos means 'many-tongued mimic.'

Aggressive Territory Defense

Breeding mockingbirds attack intruders relentlessly. Dogs get pecked on the head. Cats face dive-bombing runs. Even humans walking past a nest get buzzed. The bird swoops down, sometimes making contact with its feet. This behavior peaks April through July when nests hold eggs or chicks.

Feeding Habits

Summer diet? Beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, spiders. Mockingbirds hunt insects by running along the ground, stopping to grab prey. September changes things - berries become important. Holly berries, pokeweed, sumac. Winter means 90% fruit in their diet. They'll defend good berry bushes against other birds.

Habitat and Range

Mississippi Range

You find Northern Mockingbirds across all 82 counties in Mississippi. They prefer edge habitat - where forests meet fields, suburbs border woodlands. Parks work great. Gardens with shrubs and scattered trees get claimed fast. Farmland edges attract nesting pairs.

Preferred Nesting Sites

Mockingbirds build nests 3-10 feet off the ground. Dense shrubs, small trees, thorny bushes. Rose thickets get used often. The female builds the nest using twigs, grass, leaves, sometimes string or paper. Takes 2-4 days to complete.

Nationwide Distribution

The species ranges from southern Canada down to Mexico. East Coast to West Coast coverage, though more common in southern states. Northern populations migrate short distances for winter. Mississippi birds stay put year-round.

Conservation

Northern Mockingbirds maintain stable populations. The species adapted well to human development. Suburban expansion created more edge habitat - exactly what mockingbirds need. To support them:

  • Plant native berry bushes like holly and elderberry
  • Keep cats indoors during nesting season (April-July)
  • Leave dense shrubs unpruned for nest sites
  • Avoid pesticides that kill insects during summer months
  • Provide water sources like birdbaths

Interesting Facts

Fact 1 of 10

Male mockingbirds learn new songs throughout their lives - a two-year-old male knows more songs than a yearling

Northern Mockingbird Songs & Calls

Hear the clear whistles and sharp calls of the Northern Mockingbird. These field recordings capture their distinctive voice in natural habitat.

Audio licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Also the State Bird of:

Arkansas Florida Tennessee Texas

Sources & References

This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records and scientific databases.

1
Mississippi State University Extension
https://extension.msstate.edu/blogs/extension-for-real-life/bird-the-month-northern-mockingbird

Official information about Mississippi's state bird designation and mockingbird characteristics • Accessed: November 30, 2025

2
Mississippi Encyclopedia
https://mississippiencyclopedia.org/entries/northern-mockingbird/

Historical context and cultural significance of the Northern Mockingbird in Mississippi • Accessed: November 30, 2025

3
National Wildlife Federation - Northern Mockingbird
https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Birds/Northern-Mockingbird

Comprehensive guide to Northern Mockingbird biology and behavior • Accessed: November 30, 2025

4
Cornell Lab of Ornithology - All About Birds
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Mockingbird/overview

Scientific information about Northern Mockingbird identification and ecology • Accessed: November 30, 2025

5
National Audubon Society - Northern Mockingbird
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/northern-mockingbird

Field guide information and conservation status • Accessed: November 30, 2025

Accuracy Commitment: We strive to maintain accurate and up-to-date information. If you notice any errors or outdated information, please contact us.

People Also Ask

When did Mississippi adopt the Northern Mockingbird as state bird?
Mississippi designated the Northern Mockingbird as its official state bird in 1944. Women's federated clubs across the state campaigned for the designation, and the legislature passed it during that year's session. The mockingbird's widespread presence and year-round residency in Mississippi made it a natural choice for lawmakers.
Why did Mississippi choose the Northern Mockingbird?
Mississippi picked the mockingbird because these birds lived everywhere in the state by the 1940s. People heard them singing year-round in cities, farms, and gardens. The bird's fearless territorial defense and impressive vocal abilities resonated with how Mississippians saw their own character. Plus, women's clubs organized effective campaigns supporting the designation.
What does a Northern Mockingbird look like?
Northern Mockingbirds measure 8-10 inches long with soft gray upperparts and pale gray-white underparts. The most distinctive feature is the white wing patches that flash bright during flight - two white bars on each wing. They have long tails, slim builds, dark bills, and yellow to orange eyes. The overall appearance is understated until they fly.
How many sounds can a mockingbird mimic?
A single Northern Mockingbird can learn and mimic over 200 different sounds during its lifetime. This includes songs from other bird species like cardinals, blue jays, and wrens, plus mechanical sounds like car alarms, cell phone ringtones, and squeaky gates. Males continue learning new songs as they age, so older birds have larger repertoires.
Are Northern Mockingbirds aggressive?
Yes, mockingbirds become extremely aggressive when defending nests during breeding season from April through July. They dive-bomb cats, dogs, hawks, and even humans who walk too close to their territory. These attacks sometimes involve the bird making contact with its feet. This fearless behavior protects eggs and chicks from much larger predators.
Where can I see mockingbirds in Mississippi?
You can find Northern Mockingbirds in all 82 Mississippi counties year-round. Look in parks, gardens, suburban areas, farmland edges, and anywhere forests meet open areas. They prefer habitat with scattered trees and dense shrubs for nesting. City parks and residential neighborhoods with berry bushes attract breeding pairs reliably.
What do Northern Mockingbirds eat?
Summer diet consists mostly of insects - beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and spiders that mockingbirds catch by running along the ground. Starting in September, berries become increasingly important. By winter, fruit makes up about 90% of their diet, including holly berries, pokeweed, and sumac. They defend productive berry bushes aggressively against other birds.
How many states share the Northern Mockingbird as their state bird?
Five states designated the Northern Mockingbird as their official state bird: Florida and Texas (both 1927), Arkansas (1929), Tennessee (1933), and Mississippi (1944). This makes the mockingbird one of the most popular state bird choices in America, likely because of its widespread range and year-round presence across the southern United States.
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