Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Mimus ("mimic") gilvus ("pale yellow")

Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus) at San Jose, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Mimus gilvus tolimensis
Weight: 88g  /  Length: 22-25cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite being a close relative of the famous Nothern Mockingbird, unlike that species it rarely mimics other species but rather produces it's own elaborate and varied call. In parts of their range they have benefited from human changes to land usage, as they prefer semi open habitat rather than forest, deforestation has actually allowed them to expand into formerly densely forested areas.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Mimidae
Genus: Mimus
SUBSPECIES: M. g. gracilis, M. g. leucophaeus, M. g. antillarum, M. g. tobagensis, M. g. rostratus, M. g. melanopterus, M. g. gilvus, M. g. tolimensis, M. g. antelius, M. g. magnirostris

 - Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 

Widespread lowland species
 - COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Two seen in San Jose.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)

OTHER NAMES: Grey Catbird
Latin Etymology: Dumetella ("thorny thicket") carolinensis ("of Carolina")

Adult Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) in Minnesota, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 25-56g  /  Length: 20-24cm  /  Wingspan: 22-30cm
NO UK STATUS/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern

When I first saw the name I was wondering what made it a Catbird, but then listening to it's call which genuinely does sound like a slightly grumpy cat. A bird that is both common but shy, it seems to move into thicket quite quickly to avoid being seen but it's meowing call can still be heard.  Aside from the namesake Cat-like calls they are skilled mimics and will copy the songs of birds, treefrogs and even manmade sounds of machinery.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Mimidae
Genus: Dumatella
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Present East of the Rockies
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Minnesota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

OTHER NAMES: Mockingbird
Latin Etymology: Mimus ("mimic") polyglottos ("many tongued")

 

Adult Northern Mockingbird (subspecies M. p. leucopterus) at San Jose, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Mimus polyglottos leucopterus
Weight: 40-58g  /  Length: 20-28cm  /  Wingspan: 31-38cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Named and famous for it's ability as a vocal mimic, the Northern Mockingbird is capable of learning a huge repertoire of songs learned not only from other birds, but also from other species and even artificial human sounds. They have beeb recorded  as having up to 200 songs memorised per individual.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Mimidae
Genus: Mimus
SUBSPECIES: M. p. polyglottos, M. p. leucopterus, M. p. orpheus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

Found across the Southern and North-Western States
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Jose

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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