Mockingbirds & Thrashers
Mockingirds, thrashers and catbirds form a small family of songbirds (Mimidae), known for their ability to mimic other bird calls.
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They are all very hardy and adaptable birds, often found on lawns looking for insects or around feeders offering suet or fruit.
Physically they share similar features, being medium sized birds with muted feather colors.
Thrasher species constitute the largest portion of the family. With the exception of the Brown thrasher, the other species live in very limited ranges in the West.
The Curve-billed thrasher in the top picture, resides in the desert Southwest, down through south Texas.
California thrashers do not venture far from California state boundaries. The Birding Cabrillo National Monument provides a picture of the California thrasher, with similar feather colors and a less distinctly curved bill.
The remaining few thrasher species are found in limited areas of the Southwest and Rocky Mountain states.
The gray catbird is easily recognized by its gray feathers and black cap.
They are primarily eastern birds, however their range continues to expand into the Midwest.
The Northern Mockingbird in the picture is the most wide-ranging and recognized Mimidae species.
Anyone whose yard serves as a host to Mockingbirds knows about their propensity to sing, sometimes all day and night. They are also territorial birds, and they will fight with other bird species in the yard.
Despite some of the fuss associated with them, Mockingbirds are very popular birds, who enjoy posing for pictures.
Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas, designate it their state bird.
© 2007. Patricia A. Michaels