The Northern Mockingbird, a common and vocal resident across North America, is recognized for its ability to mimic a variety of sounds, from other bird calls to artificial noises. These adaptable songbirds are often seen in suburban areas, parks, and open woodlands. Understanding their dietary preferences is key to appreciating their role in local ecosystems and can also guide efforts to welcome them into a yard.
Their Diverse Diet
Northern Mockingbirds are omnivores, consuming both animal and plant matter, with their diet typically split between insects and various fruits and berries. They hunt a wide range of invertebrates including beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, spiders, earthworms, cicadas, crickets, moths, butterflies, bees, and wasps.
Mockingbirds eat numerous types of wild and cultivated fruits and berries, such as those from holly, elderberry, blackberry, hackberry, juniper, and pokeweed plants. They also consume fruits like apples, oranges, and grapes, which provide necessary hydration and energy. Occasionally, mockingbirds have been observed eating small vertebrates like lizards or even drinking tree sap, demonstrating their opportunistic feeding habits.
Seasonal Shifts in Food Habits
A mockingbird’s diet changes with the seasons, reflecting the availability of food sources. In spring and summer, when insects are abundant, mockingbirds primarily consume these protein-rich foods, sometimes making up as much as 85% of their diet during the breeding season. This diet is crucial for adults during nesting and for the healthy development of their chicks. Young mockingbirds initially rely on soft invertebrates like caterpillars and worms.
As fall approaches and winter sets in, insect populations decline, prompting a shift in their diet. During colder months, fruits and berries become their main sustenance, sometimes comprising up to 85-90% of their intake. Mockingbirds aggressively defend fruit-bearing plants and shrubs during winter, securing these food resources.
Foraging Behavior
Northern Mockingbirds employ distinct strategies to acquire their varied diet. They are frequently observed foraging on the ground, using a characteristic stop-and-run method. While on the ground, they may briefly spread their wings, a behavior known as “wing-flashing,” which is thought to startle hidden insects, making them easier to catch.
They also watch from low perches and fly down to capture items on the ground. Beyond ground foraging, mockingbirds are adept at aerial hawking, catching flying insects mid-air. When feeding on fruits, they typically pluck berries directly from shrubs and trees.
Attracting Mockingbirds to Your Yard
To encourage Northern Mockingbirds to visit your yard, focus on providing natural food sources and a suitable habitat. Planting native fruit-bearing shrubs and trees such as elderberry, dogwood, mulberry, pyracantha, and Virginia creeper can supply them with essential berries, especially during fall and winter. These plants also attract insects, offering a natural buffet.
Providing a consistent water source, such as a bird bath, is also beneficial for drinking and bathing. Avoiding the use of pesticides helps maintain a healthy insect population, a primary food source during warmer months. While mockingbirds are not typical feeder birds, they may occasionally visit for suet, mealworms, or chopped peanuts; birdseed is generally not a primary attractant.