The presence of a Northern Mockingbird at a backyard feeder often leads to frustration, as this species is known for its aggressive dominance over food sources and other birds. This behavior, while disruptive, is simply an expression of their strong survival and territorial instincts. Since the Northern Mockingbird is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, all strategies must focus on non-lethal inconvenience and redirection. The goal is to provide humane and effective deterrence methods that encourage the mockingbird to forage elsewhere without causing it any harm.
Understanding the Mockingbird’s Territorial Nature
The Northern Mockingbird’s challenging behavior stems from its highly territorial nature, which is particularly pronounced during the spring and summer breeding season. Males sing extensively to establish and defend their territory, which they will guard fiercely against all perceived threats, including other birds, pets, and even humans. This aggression is not about the bird seed itself but about defending a claimed food source, especially when natural resources are less available. Mockingbirds are also known to defend a feeding territory in the fall and winter, indicating their defense is tied to reliable food access year-round. They are intelligent, bold birds that quickly learn where resources are plentiful and will claim those spots as their own.
Physical Modifications to Deter Access
One effective strategy involves modifying the feeder’s physical structure to make access difficult for the mockingbird’s size and feeding style. Mockingbirds are medium-sized songbirds, which makes them larger than many desirable feeder birds. Weight-activated feeders are successful because they are calibrated to close the feeding ports under the weight of a larger bird, denying the mockingbird access while remaining open for lighter species. Another structural approach is to use caged feeders, which feature a wire mesh barrier around the central seed reservoir. The spacing of the wire is specifically designed to allow smaller songbirds to pass through to the feeding port while physically blocking the wider body of the mockingbird. Additionally, replacing long perches with very short, stubby ones can deter mockingbirds, as they prefer a comfortable surface to grip while feeding.
Adjusting the Feeder’s Food Menu
Changing the menu inside the feeder is an immediate and impactful way to reduce its appeal to a territorial mockingbird. Mockingbirds are omnivores that particularly value foods high in insects and fruit, especially during winter when their natural diet of invertebrates is scarce. They are strongly attracted to high-value items such as suet, dried mealworms, chopped peanuts, and seed mixes containing dried fruit. Removing these preferred items from the main feeder signals to the mockingbird that the site is no longer worth defending. Instead, fill the feeder with foods that smaller songbirds enjoy but which mockingbirds generally ignore. Excellent alternatives include safflower seeds, which have a bitter taste many species dislike, or Nyjer (thistle) seed. Focusing on plain sunflower seeds or millet without high-fat or high-sugar additives can significantly lower the feeder’s desirability.
Relocation and Habitat Management
Strategic placement of the feeder can disrupt the mockingbird’s territorial surveillance. Mockingbirds favor open areas and elevated perches to observe their domain, making feeders in the center of a yard or next to a high tree branch easy to defend. Moving the feeder closer to dense shrubs or cover helps smaller birds feel more secure while making it more difficult for the mockingbird to patrol the area. A dedicated, alternative feeding station can be established far from the main feeder as a redirection tactic. This secondary area can contain the high-value foods the mockingbird prefers, such as fruit or suet, drawing its attention away from the primary feeding location. To discourage territorial behavior, consider removing or trimming prominent branches or wires that the mockingbird uses as a lookout post.