Northern Mockingbird

Northern Mockingbird

Mimus polyglottos 

Mockingbird perched on hanging basket with suet or lard, circa 2008 

The Northern Mockingbird is a mid-sized songbird that can be found in all regions of the Carolinas throughout the year. While there are sixteen species of mockingbirds across the Americas, the Northern Mockingbird or Common Mockingbird is the only species found in North America. The Mimidae family also includes other birds such as catbirds, thrashers, and tremblers and are unique to the Americas. According to phylogenetic analyses and other DNA research, Mimids are most closely related to Starlings and Mynas and evolved somewhere around 20 million years ago (Wikipedia Mimid). Mockingbirds are ubiquitous in most most the Eastern and Southern United States and are known for their ability to mimic other birds, insects, amphibians, and other noises in their environments (a trait shared by starlings, mynas, Yellow-Breasted Chats, corvids, and certain parrots). Mockingbirds are also among the most frequently encountered birds in the Carolinas and are more common around human settlement and cultivated areas than in natural areas. While they are numerous today and expanding their range, Mockingbirds were once captured for the pet trade as their singing abilities were prized, and like the Northern Cardinal, Painted or Indigo Bunting, and many parrots, they could have been wiped out if it was not for regulations, and protections. The Mockingbird is familiar to most people and has been portrayed in songs, books (like To Kill a Mockingbird), poetry, art, and is even the name of a musical group in the 1950s-60s. After the American Robin, and Northern Cardinal, the Mockingbird might be the third most recognizable songbird in North America and is the state bird of Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas. 

Description and Ecology 

Mockingbird, female with insect for young, circa 2010

The Mockingbird is a slender songbird that has a long tail, fairly long legs, and a thin bill that is slightly downcurved. This bird is about the same length as an American Robin or a Sharp-Shinned Hawk but is told by its slim shape, color patterns, and its habits. The Loggerhead Shrike which is a predatory songbird is very similar in appearance, with the possibility that the mockingbird or the shrike may mimic each other (one to scare off other birds, while the other to catch prey off guard). In flight, mockingbirds have broad wings and can resemble Blue Jays or Accipiter Sparrowhawks when flying and will glide across open areas, often close to the ground. 

Plumage: Mockingbirds are generally greyish birds with white or pale undersides, and dark wings and tails. The birds also have white throats, a thin dark eyeline, and may show faint streaks on their sides, although this is difficult to notice in the field. Adults and juveniles both have a pair of white wing bars, while in flight those markings become white wing patches (visible on the top and underwing regions). Males and females are similar in appearance although males may have brighter/larger wing patches and a richer (or yellowish) hue on their undersides, and are usually larger in size. Juveniles show spots or streaks during the first few months of their life. 

Size: Length 24-28cm (9.5-11"), Wingspan 33-38cm (13-15"), approximately the same length as a Sharp-Shinned Hawk, or American Robin.

Song: Mockingbirds have complex songs that consist of a mixture of whistles, chatters, melodic notes, and chanting calls that are mixed with the songs and calls of other birds, amphibians, mammals, and singing insects. Each bird learns its songs as individuals and populations have unique calls and songs, and generally learn sounds from their area. There is evidence that songs are passed down through generations, and can be learned by neighboring populations or dispersing juveniles. As a result, mockingbirds are not always reliable as an means of identifying which species live in an area. Mockingbirds will sing for hours on end with each phrase or series being repeated 3-6 times before the bird switches. Both genders will sing although it is generally the males that will sing from late winter to midsummer, while females often sing in the autumn to defend territories and fruiting shrubs. The songs are often compared to Nightingales which also mimic and have long rambling songs. 

Spring Songs: During the breeding season, males will sing to announce their territories and attract potential mates. At this time of year, songs are loud, and include many phrases. Paired birds usually sing for a brief period from February to May before nesting, and only sing occasionally after building the nest. Unmated males and birds that lost their partners will sing persistently until they attract another female or give up. These birds will often sing at night, especially in urban settings. Mockingbirds also have a flight song as well.

Autumn Songs: In the autumn, Mockingbirds will sing to announce winter territories and fend off shrubs or trees with fruits. This behavior is common in males and females from late September through November, with birds singing only in short bursts, while in the winter, they sing only occasionally. 

Mimicry: In our area, mockingbirds often mimic common species such as cardinals, wrens, vireos, American Robins, Wood Thrushes, Brown Thrashers, Grey Catbirds, finches, and Blue Jays, as well as hawks, seagulls, and terns. The birds may also mimic Green, Barking, or Squirrel Treefrogs, Southern/Fowler's Toads, Spring Peeper, Leopard Frogs, as well as Grey/Fox Squirrels and Chipmunks. Mockingbirds can also learn mechanical sounds such as screeching hinges, police sirens, and car alarms, as well as the whines of toddlers, and certain dog sounds (similar to the Common Starling, and Grey Catbird). In captivity, Mockingbirds may be able to learn human speech. According studies from 1992-2015, Mockingbirds may possess a repertoire of 40-200 song types although a Brown Thrasher may have more than 2000 song types. 

Calls: Mockingbirds can give a wide range of calls with many of them being easy to pick out from other birds. Their main call is a dry clicking call "Chat" that is a contact call, a short whistled "Churrrp", call, and a nasal wheezing or squawking call that sounds like an angry parrot. Mockingbirds will also give cat like mews (not as harsh as the Grey Catbird), as well as cooing call (like a Yellow-Billed Cuckoo). 

Range: Mockingbirds are common in most of the Southern half of North America and have spread northweard into New England, the Upper Midwest, and Great Plains with human habitation. They are generally nonmigratory residents although northern populations may retreat southward. Mockingbirds are also found in California, Baja California, most of Mexico, and and the Southwest, while populations were also introduced in Hawaii, St Helena, Socorro Island, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, and Tahiti. Vagrants occasionally turn up in Britain (most recently in March 2021). 

In the Carolinas: Mockingbirds are found throughout North and South Carolina as nonmigratory residents and can be found from barrier islands in the Outer Banks to heathlands along the Blue Ridge Parkway. They are the most numerous in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain where they thrive in suburbs, towns, and cities. In Wilmington as well as Coastal South Carolina, Mockingbirds generally outnumber American Robins on lawns and in parks. Most Mockingbirds rarely stray far from their home range and may only move from the front garden to a nearby hedgerow during the autumn, while juveniles, unmated females, and displaced males may roam greater distances. 

Habitat: This bird is normally found in open or semi-open habitats with scattered shrubs, trees, open grassy areas, or in relatively barren landscapes. Their natural habitats include pine barrens, meadows, old fields, woodland edges, copses, and maritime thickets as well as heathlands. However, Mockingbirds are the most numerous around developed areas and are abundant in suburbs, commercial properties, rural estates, farmyards, village or town commons, and in urban neighborhoods. Mockingbirds will even thrive in the center of major metropolises with the author seeing Mockingbirds in the heart of New York City, Washington DC, and in the busy corridors of New Orleans' French Quarter. Mockingbirds only need shrubs or trees for nesting, open ground for foraging, and a source of fruits, and berries. They benefit from the use of hollies, privets, buckthorns, Cherry Laurels, and other fruit-bearing shrubs in landscapes, mown lawns, and will even nest in topiaries and closely pruned hedges. 

Breeding: Mockingbirds can breed anytime from late February to September and have one of the longest breeding seasons of any bird in the Carolinas. The Cardinal, Carolina Wren, Brown Thrasher, House Sparrow, and Mourning Dove also have long nesting cycles. Like the other species listed above, the Mockingbird may raise upwards of 3-4 broods per season, and it is not uncommon to find nests with eggs as late as August, or in Mid-February. Mockingbirds generally nest in shrubby areas near open spaces and have an affinity for nesting next to dwellings, doorways, and in landscaped areas of parking lots. This species often shares habitat with other open country birds such as Orchard Orioles, Eastern Kingbirds, Indigo Buntings, or House Finches but will also overlap with Cardinals, Brown Thrashers, Grey Catbirds, and Yellow-Breasted Chats in more shrubby settings. While mockingbirds are highly territorial, they will form loose colonies in suitable habitats and polygamy has been observed with this species. In suburbs or inner-city neighborhoods, nesting territories may be as small as single garden with rival pairs constantly fighting over feeding sites and nests

Nest: Mockingbird nests are generally robust baskets of twigs, sticks, and vines that consist of two or three layers. The outer shell may contain thorny branches from hawthorns or locust, blackberry or smilax canes, or course branches, while the inner layers contain grass, vines, leaves, with feathers, moss, or cottony material for the lining. In urban areas, this species often uses rubbish and other items from the landscape. Examples of items found in nests include cigarette filters, yawn, wrappers, plastic fragments, paper, and ripped landscape fabric. Like many species of wrens, male Mockingbirds will build multiple nests in shrubs and allow the female to select a site. Dummy nests may be used at a later time or may remain unused, possibly to mislead predators, or deter other birds (mockingbirds or otherwise). The nest usually contains 3-6 pale eggs with brown splotches and the breeding cycle lasts around 20-24 days with incubation taking around two weeks.

Diet: Mockingbirds are omnivores that consume a mix of insects, fruits, and occasionally seeds, small vertebrates and other items. Their preferred diet includes earthworms, garden snails, spiders, crickets/katydids, caterpillars, and pillbugs found on lawns, within meadows, or in leaf litter. They also catch flying insects on the wing including dragonflies, cicadas, moths, and bees/wasps, and may also feed on ant swarmers (winged queens and drones), and occasionally take prey from shallow water. On rare occasions, this species will eat small frogs, lizards, and tadpoles. Mockingbirds eat a variety of fruits throughout the year with mulberry, Black Cherry, Pokeweed, blackberries, grapes, viburnum, hollies, privets, hawthorns, and cherry laurels being favorites, although this bird also enjoys rosehips including Rosa multiflora (an invasive species of rose). They occasionally eat tree and plant seeds, poke cultivated tomatoes, and in urban areas might take handouts or food scraps. Some sources also say that they will drink tree sap or nectar from flowers. Mockingbirds may visit bird tables for suet, lard,  mealworms, peanuts, bread, fruits, or other soft foods. 

Status: Mockingbirds are abundant throughout their range and appear to be spreading into new areas as human habitation and agriculture break up forests, while landscaping practices introduce fruit-bearing shrubs and lawns for habitat. Mockingbirds were mostly found in the Southeast and Deep South and only recently spread to places like New York, Coastal Maine, Nova Scotia, and the Upper Midwest. In the Carolinas, the Mockingbird is usually the most numerous songbird in urban and suburban area besides House Sparrows, Rock Pigeons, Starlings, and House Finches, while in virtually every garden likely has a pair of mockingbirds (or several). While their close association with humans has allowed the species to thrive, Mockingbirds are still negatively impacted by pesticides, lawn chemicals, and require a robust insect/invertebrate population to nest. In turn, the success of Mockingbirds may have a negative impact on other species as they will chase or attack other songbirds around nest territories or fruit shrubs, and may destroy nests (a behavior confirmed in Grey Catbirds, House Wrens, and House Sparrows). 

Additional Reading: Cornell All About Bird Profile, Wikipedia Article

Notes

Mockingbird perched atop post in a front garden

Behavior: Mockingbirds are conspicuous and energetic birds that are difficult to overlook. Even people who are not familiar with birds will notice adults perching atop shrubs or on wires, or will see groups chasing each other as they fight over territories. This species is very aggressive and will defend their territories and nest sites from all other species, as well as predators. Mockingbirds are known to attack humans and pets that get too close to nests, although this depends on individuals, and their relationship with residents, and outsiders. They will always attack cats, canine species, Grey or Fox Squirrels, crows, hawks, and grackles, and will also go after Brown Headed Cowbirds if they try to parasitize their nests. Foraging birds run across lawns or grassy areas like plovers, where they visually search for prey, although unlike the American Robin or Common Starling, they also hunt on the wing, or pounce prey from perches or while hovering (akin to the Eastern Bluebird, Kingbird, or Kestrel). Between foraging sessions, Mockingbirds perch on shrubs, wires, branches, chimneys, or fencerows where they watch for intruders, preen, and sing. The birds may also exhibit other behaviors such as jerking their wings up to show their patches, performing loops or circling flights, and standing face to face with another bird, hopping side to side or in circles. The Mockingbird is also very intelligent and shares the curiosity and traits of Paridae tits (especially chickadees, titmice, and Eurasian Tits), corvids, parrots, starlings, and the like). For example, Mockingbirds and other species can distinguish which people or animals are threats and which ones are not, or even determine if a cat or hawk is on the hunt or just passing through. They also use their traits to adapt to urban areas and new environments such as using street lights or security lamps to hunt at night (taking advantage of lacewings, moths, cockroaches, and other nocturnal insects, with less competition or threats), cleverly placing nests in areas that predators avoid such as in front of busy doorways or near another (more harmless) predator, and exploiting opportunities such as food handouts, and insects disturbed from mowing, or garden activities.  

Courtship and Display: Mockingbirds have an elaborate courtship display that is observed during the spring and summer. Since this species may retain mates for life or across several breeding cycles, the courtship rituals are not always seen, and paired birds tend to omit rituals. Males attract females by singing and giving flight displays near open areas. Unpaired males as well as younger birds will sing continuously and rotate between perches to project their voice across the landscape. They will also sing as they fly across their territory, or will perform a circling/gliding flight with a lark-like twittering or chattering song. Other displays include wing waving, loops/summersaults, the border dance, and chasing. Males arrive on their breeding territories in the late winter and begin singing and displaying, although some males, as well as mated pairs will remain in their nesting ranges all winter if there is a reliable food source (giving that pair an advantage). For the first several weeks of the nesting season, males will fight each other, sing, and carry out displays as they reconcile their borders before the females arrive. Juveniles and wandering birds (floaters) may also force their way into an area or try to move into a territory if the previous owner was killed or displaced. While Mockingbirds can fight to the death, most skirmishes result only in chasing, scolding calls, and aerial dogfighting, with the occasional pileup or melee battle. After mating, males may continue to sing or display (sometimes mating with other females) although like most garden birds, the male is usually occupied with nest defense, gathering food, and he is often left with the fledglings while his partner nests. 

Autumn Territorial Behavior "Autumn Wars": One unique behavior amongst Mockingbirds is their habit of defending separate winter territories and their associated behaviors. From late September through November, males and females will claim smaller territories that contain fruit and berry bushes, evergreens, or a bird table with suet or other items. Males and females will sing in short bursts or occasionally for extended periods and engage in aerial fights around contested areas. Juveniles from the breeding season are also chased off during this time. Some mated pairs will remain together throughout the year and work as a team to keep roaming birds, juveniles, and neighbors away from their feeding area. The annual wars peak in October and subside after boundaries are established. 

Winter Life: During the late autumn and winter months, Mockingbirds are quiet and generally inconspicuous. They remain close to their favorite fruit or berry bushes, or lurk within hollies, camellias, hawthorns, or junipers, although dooryard birds may remain faithful to their nest shrubs (if there is also fruits nearby). Individuals or pairs can be found near privets, pyrocanthia, viburnum, hollies, Multiflora Rose thickets, near Virginia Creeper, or hawthorns. Adults rarely sing from November to early February and make only "Chat", mew , and chattering calls, and occasional scolds when there is a fight. Males may sing periodically during sunny days, or moonlit nights. This is also the time when Mockingbirds are most likely to discover a bird table and will become year-round visitors once they arrive (whether they are welcomed or not). Unlike migratory birds like American Robins, Common Starlings, or other "year-round" songbirds that undergo population shifts, Mockingbirds and Brown Thrashers rarely go far from their nesting territory. A Mockingbird that nests in a camellia or boxwood outside of a house might spend the winter in the Back Garden or in a neighboring woodlot. Other birds that remain in the same area all year include Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, chickadees and titmice, most woodpeckers, Pine Warblers, House Sparrows, and most hawks, or owls. 

Survival: Mockingbirds generally do well in most environments and can live a long time if they make it past their first year. This species is an example of a bird that does better in urban and suburban settings than in its natural habitat. Mockingbirds that live in gardens, parks, or commercial estates benefit from fewer predators, artificial food sources (like native or nonnative berry bushes, and bird tables), and a landscape that stays consistent. In natural areas, Mockingbirds are limited to grasslands, meadows, and early successional habitat with appropriate cover and may be displaced within two or three years, while humans altered landscapes always contain open areas and shrubs. Additionally gardens and towns also provide habitat for insects and spiders throughout the year (even if pesticides are used) and tend to be several degrees warmer than the surrounding landscape. This makes it possible for birds and reptiles to find insect prey in the dead of winter while the urban heat island effect may lead to insects emerging on fairly cool days if there is full sun (like bees and ants emerging when it hits 5C or 41F with a sidewalk being heated by the sun). The main threats to Mockingbirds are birds of prey, feral or outdoor cats, crows, and sometimes Loggerhead Shrikes, while nests and fledglings can fall victim to mammalian predators, crows, jays, snakes, and even fire ants. The Sparrowhawk species, notably Cooper's Hawk and Sharp Shinned Hawks pose a major threat to adult Mockingbirds, while owls, and Bueto Buzzards (specifically Red-Shouldered Hawks) pose a lesser threat. Human-related threats include collisions with windows, towers, or automobiles, nests being knocked over during hedge trimming, and pesticide use. Cowbirds do parasitize Mockingbirds readily with some birds destroying or removing eggs, while others end up raising cowbirds chicks. 

Cultural Significance: The Mockingbird is an iconic bird in North America and has been popularized in art, literature, music, and symbolism. In the Southern United States, this bird is as ubiquitous as the Robin in the Northeast with five southern states featuring it as a state bird. Elsewhere, this species is associated with books such as To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, a number of lullabies and folk songs, and Thomas Jefferson's pet bird, Dick, the Mockingbird. Like other familiar garden birds like the Cardinal, American Goldfinch, American Robin, Carolina Wren, chickadees, Song Sparrow, and Baltimore Oriole, Mockingbirds are often featured on bird-related items such as singing clocks, shirts, packaging for birdseed, or websites. 

Impacts on Humans: Mockingbirds provide a many benefits to humans but may also be considered nuisances. This bird consumes many garden and household pests including cockroaches, grasshoppers, katydids, snails, slugs, and various flying insects, while being adaptable enough to thrive in city centers where other insectivorous birds are absent. A nesting pair can consume thousands of caterpillars, beetle grubs, plant eating bugs or beetles, and sawfly larvae, with at least three nesting cycles per year, meaning that a vegetable garden may have fewer problems with leaf insects. The Mockingbird can also bring life to urban and suburban areas and are approachable by humans. People also love their songs which was why they were trapped and sold as pets until the practice was outlawed (some of the tropical species may still be trapped in the Caribbean or Latin America)

However, this species can also cause some problems in our gardens. Mockingbirds consume fruits year-round and will eat cultivated fruits such as blueberries, blackberries, or tomatoes, and in small gardens a single pair can wipe out a crop (plus other species like Starlings, or waxwings). On a larger scale, this species and most common songbirds do not have much of an impact on fruits or citrus and from my experience an established blackberry bramble, grapevine, mulberry bush, or fig tree will have more than enough fruits for people to harvest, even if birds consume some of the fruits. Some people also find the Mockingbird's loud song to be an annoyance, especially when young or divorced males sing at night or near streetlamps. The biggest issue with Mockingbirds and the the Grey Catbird is that they will sometimes attack humans, or pets that get too close to their nest. While this is mostly an annoyance, bird attacks can lead to accidents when someone is on a ladder or using power tools, and Mockingbirds and Thrashers can inflict wounds with their feet or talons. I have also read of instances where mail carriers refused service because of aggressive Mockingbirds. However, in most cases, the birds rarely bother people and in my experience I have only been attacked or divebomb by Grey Catbirds (the only bird that actually attacked me), Eastern Bluebirds, and Common Terns. 

Garden Information 

Urban greenspaces and parking lots are often home to Mockingbirds even if there are only a few shrubs or tree around

Mockingbirds thrive in suburban and urban landscapes and is a guarantee in about every garden or park in the Cape Fear Region. This species needs very little to survive with suburban lawns, shrubs, and a few trees being all that is needed for a pair to move in. In most towns, cities, and suburbs, Mockingbirds tend to live in front gardens, common areas, apartment complexes, dooryards, or other open settings, while back gardens and heavily wooded properties are less favorable. Because of their adaptable nature and preference for manicured landscapes, Mockingbirds are among the easiest birds to attract to your garden. However, like other successful species, Mockingbirds can also bring many problems, and will likely drive off other birds if they claim a birdfeeder or decide to nest in your garden. In turn, they can also bring many benefits such as controlling garden pests, fending off cats, hawks, and owls, and allowing adults and children to experience the excitement of finding a bird's nest and watching the brood develop. 

Landscaping: You don't need to do anything special to your landscape to attract Mockingbirds. Chances are, your garden is already an ideal nest site and there probably one pair for each house in your neighborhood (if not more). I encourage gardeners and homeowners to focus on attracting other species that need more habitat diversity. Most improvements made for birds such as cardinals, wrens, small woodland birds (chickadees, nuthatches, etc), warblers, thrushes, and orioles will also benefit Mockingbirds. In fact, it might be a good idea to reduce your lawn, add flowerbeds or meadow gardens, and install hedgerows to boost ecological value for birds. Mockingbirds tend avoid lush gardens or wooded areas, but will readily use hedgerows, woodland edges, and brambles (blackberries, or raspberries) for nesting. Fruit-bearing shrubs and trees are a must if you want to host Mockingbirds through the winter. 

Like most birds, Mockingbirds need insects, snails, and spiders to feed their young. Flowering plants, shrubs, and vines (especially native plants) will lead to improved nesting success as flowerbeds contain snails, katydids, crickets, and butterfly/moth caterpillars. Lawns can be "improved" by allowing weeds and wildflowers (like clover, Lyre-Leaved Sage, coreopsis, dandelions) to thrive, mowing at a slightly higher setting, resisting the urge to use pesticides or lawn chemicals to solve cosmetic issues. This will not only improve foraging habitat for Mockingbirds and American Robins but might bring other birds such as Killdeers, White Ibis, Field, Song, or Chipping Sparrows, House Finches, and Indigo Buntings that also feed on invertebrates or weed seeds. Many of the garden improvements I have recommended for birds, reptiles, amphibians, and beneficial insects will likely reduce the habitat for Mockingbirds. However, Mockingbirds are highly adaptable and a pair that is displaced from one area will likely just move next door, or to your foundation shrubs, shade tree, or driveway. 

Plant Selections: One of the easiest ways to attract birds to your garden is to include shrubs, trees, or vines that produce fruits or berries. Mockingbirds, Grey Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, Starlings, American Robins, Wood Thrushes, and Hermit Thrushes all prefer the same types of fruits and will gravitate towards these plants from late summer through the winter. The following list includes fruit-bearing plants that are favored by Mockingbirds and other fruit-eating birds. I do not recommend planting invasive exotic plants such as Chinese or Glossy Privet, European Buckthorn, Multiflora Rose, Tallow Tree, Callary/Bradford Pear, Porcelain Berry, Barberry, or Chinaberry as the plants will takeover woodlands and parks, and reduce biodiversity. Songbirds are very efficient seed dispersers and can the seeds can survive in the stomachs of birds or mammals, allowing them to germanite from droppings. 

    Trees

Black Cherry, a favorite summer attractant for Mockingbirds and other fruit eaters

• Hackberry 
• Southern of Sweet Bay Magnolia
• Serviceberry 
• Sparkleberry 
• Southern Dogwood, Red-Twig Dogwood, other species
• Black Cherry or Chokecherry 
• Blackgum or Water Tupelo (near water)
• Crabapples and Hawthorns (native species)
• Most Apples, Peaches, or other cultivated fruits
• American Holly
• English or Japanese Holly (not known to be invasive)
• Carolina Cherry Laurel 
• Persimmon
• Red Mulberry (this one can be messy near sidewalks or walkways)

Shrubs 

Flowers of a Common Blackberry 

• Viburnum (especially Arrowood, Maple-Leaf Viburnum, Nannyberry)
•  American Beautyberry 
• Blueberries and Huckleberries 
• Elderberry 
• Pokeberry/Pokeweed (actually a nonwoody perennial with a shrublike form)
• Yaupon Holly, Inkberry, Winterberry, other hollies 
• Winged, or Staghorn Sumac 
• Brambles (Blackberry, Raspberry)
• Carolina Rose, or Swamp Rose (Ornamental Tea Rose hips are also eaten)
• Figs (not invasive in our region)

Vines

Fruits of Dewberry, a vining blackberry species

• Virginia Creeper 
• Peppervine (recommended for hedgerows rather than formal areas, aggressive)
• Smilax (use in hedgerows or woodland gardens, aggressive)
• Coral Honeysuckle (more of a shrub, flowers also attract hummingbirds, orioles)
• Muscatine, Summer, or other grapes 

Other Plants 

Mockingbird on Common Pokeweed 

• Partridgeberry 
• Bunchberry (a groundcover related to dogwoods)
• Nightshade (birds can eat the berries without harm

Mockingbird feeding young, this is same garden as the picture above in 2010

Nesting: Mockingbirds generally nest in shrubs or small trees with most birds nestling less than 2m (6ft) above the ground. This bird as well as the Northern Cardinal will readily nest next to human dwellings and will use foundation shrubs, small specimen trees, ivy or Virginia Creeper growing up walls, or manicured hedges separating properties (I have seen pairs that successfully raise their young after landscaping crews or homeowners trimmed the shrubs they were nesting in). The Mockingbird will even nest in tightly pruned shrubs in high traffic areas like urban sidewalks, parking lots, or your front door. This species prefers evergreen shrubs such as Wax Myrtle, hollies, boxwoods, camellias, Red Cedar, Common Juniper, or Leyland Cypress, but will also use deciduous shrubs. They also prefer forking branches, tangled vines, or cane like growth, making coppice, or colony-forming shrubs (as well as blackberry brambles and climbing roses) especially attractive. Hawthorns, Osage Orange, Black Locust, crabapples, and evergreen hollies also have extra protection from cats, and snakes in the form of thorns or prickly leaves. Later in the season, Mockingbirds may choose to nest in trees such as Crepe Myrtle, dogwood, or the lower branches of a maple, oak, or hemlock/spruce tree, while young pines, are used on occasion. In general, any shrub or tree with a sturdy branch structure, thorns and/or evergreen foliage will work for Mockingbirds, while trellised vines, climbing roses, or a patch of blackberries are also useful.

Adding hedgerows, and shrubby borders will improve nesting habitat substantially as most garden birds nest less than 3m (10ft) above the ground and choose shrubs, vines or small trees. One thing to note to keep in mind is that Mockingbirds, Grey Catbirds, and Brown Thrashers can be aggressive around their nests and may attack people and pets. If a Mockingbird is preventing you from using your door, getting to your driveway, or blocking the mail person, consider planting shrubs or vines in another area to draw the birds away, while pruning the plants in the problem area (when the birds are not nesting). You can also relocate the affected items or sitting areas until the birds are finish.

Bird Table Information

Mockingbird on window feeder at townhouse with Red-Bellied Woodpecker holding his ground, 2019

While Mockingbirds usually do not come to conventional birdfeeders with seeds, they will visit suet cages, mealworm feeders, or open bird tables and hopper feeders with peanuts, fruits, or premium seed mixes containing dried fruits, shelled sunflower seeds, or soft foods. You can also attract them with peanut butter, table scraps, and other soft foods. Once the resident pair finds the feeder, they will likely visit regularly. Feeder discovery is most likely to occur during the autumn and winter when birds are relocating to berry bushes or when juveniles are dispersing. While Mockingbirds can be entertaining and are attractive birds, they will quickly wear out their welcome. This species will drive off your other birds, including from seed feeders, and other stations within his/her line of sight. Left unchecked, a Mockingbird pair can prevent most other birds from coming to the feeder including orioles, tanagers, warblers, Carolina Wrens, and Hermit Thrushes which are reluctant to come to bird tables. They may also drive off hardier birds like cardinals, or chickadees, and can even drive away Blue Jays, Starlings, or Red-Bellied Woodpeckers which in themselves are aggressive.

At my feeder stations, I generally discourage Mockingbirds by chasing them off, avoiding foods that attract them (or putting mealworms and suet in feeders that deter larger birds). Like squirrels, Mockingbirds can easily learn ways around your security measures and will find their way in sooner or later. I have observed Mockingbirds hanging from inverted suet cages, landing on window mounted feeders, or hovering near covered mealworm feeders to grab the contents (or to knock the contents as they attack it). Even if they are locked out of the feeder, Mockingbirds may still chase off the other birds. 

The best ways to avoid Mockingbird interactions is to place feeders and bird tables away from fruit or berry sources, or shrubs that are being used as nest sites. Residents in rural or wooded neighborhoods are less likely to have problems with Mockingbirds and the birds out in the countryside are also less likely to be accustomed to bird tables or handouts in parks. Another workaround is to have feeding stations in different areas of the property so the Mockingbird will have to defend multiple areas at once, allowing the shier species to feed. You can also give the birds their own feeder with suet, mealworms, or fruits. The same strategy applies for birdbaths and water features. Aside from Mockingbirds, Ruby-Throated or Rufous Hummingbirds, Eastern Bluebirds, Pine Warblers or during the winter Myrtle Warblers (Yellow-Rumped Warblers) can also cause similar issues if they get too comfortable at a feeder. Spreading out feeder areas should help to reduce conflicts, while for Bluebirds, it is always a good idea to keep birdhouses and feeder stations in separate areas.

Common Starling

 Common Starling 

Sturnus vulgaris  

Common Starling in hedgerow, April 2020

The Common Starling (or European Starling), is a mid-sized songbird that is the only representative of the Starling and Myna Family in North America. Starlings were introduced to North America in the late 1800s and have spread across the continent through the 1900s. While this bird is considered one of the most prolific and in some cases "invasive" birds in the world, the Starling also has many benefits and Cornell Lab of Ornithology and other ornithological institutions have found evidence that it's impact on native songbirds is not as extensive as previously thought. Starlings are common in all regions of the Carolinas and are more abundant during the winter months when they form massive flocks over the countryside and roost in woodlands and riparian buffers along major waterways. These birds resemble our native blackbirds (Icterids) and often associate with them, although their profile, behavior, and their genetic makeup are different. There are also many reports of Common Starlings declining rapidly in their native range in Europe and evidence of similar declines have been reported in North America as well. 

Description and Ecology 

Adult and fledgling Starlings at suet feeders

The Common Starling is a mid-sized songbird that is between the size of a bluebird or large sparrow and a Northern Cardinal, and is told by its plump profile. On the ground Starlings look like plovers with long legs, a round body, and a very long bill that is designed for probing soil. Adults can easily be told from Red Winged Blackbirds "Redwings", Rusty Blackbirds, or Cowbirds by their long beaks, short tails, and their tendency to waddle. In flight Starlings have triangular wings, short stubby tails, and long bills, and can be confused with the similar-sized Purple Martin, except with a fast, direct flight. 

Plumage: Starlings are one of the many birds in our area that have seasonal plumages, which is often a trait of Parulidae Warblers, Orioles, and Tanagers. From late January to Mid-June, Starlings have glossy plumages that feature iridescent colors and yellow or amber spots on the back, body, wings, and head. While there is a lot of individual variation in Starlings, adults tend to have a mixture of purple, indigo, green, gold, and even bronze tones across their bodies (dependent on light angle), bronzed or gold wings, and a head that is all dark. Males and females can be distinguished up close with males featuring a bluish base on the beak, while the female has a pinkish coloration on the base of its beak. The Starling also has a yellow to gold bill during the nesting season. 

Winter plumage of Starling, August 2019, Washington DC

Nonbreeding adults (July to Dec) are still dark but appear greyer with more extensive spots (across entire body and wings), more amber on the body, and are less iridescent, while also having paler heads and darker beaks. Juveniles are plain brown from the time they fledge to their first molt in July or August. 

Size: Length 17-18cm (7-7.5"), Wingspan 38-41cm (15-16.1"). I often use "starling-sized" to describe birds in this size range as it is larger than a sparrow or warbler, but is smaller than an American Robin. 

Song: Like the closely-related Common and Hill Myna, the Common Starling is a skilled mimic and can learn a variety of bird songs and calls, frog sounds, mechanical noises, and even human speech. Males sing from midwinter through early summer, and produce a relatively quiet, series of whistles, warbles, gurgles, and learned phrases that can go on for several minutes. They may repeat sounds two or three times (akin to a Mockingbird) although unlike Mimids their songs tend to blend together without pauses. Starlings in our area have mimicked meadowlarks, cowbirds, Boat Tailed Grackles, Eastern Bluebirds, Wood Ducks, and seagulls, while a pair of starlings at my current residence have imitated the cries of a toddler that lives next door to me. The individual variation amongst Starling songs is so great that a population at a local park may sound entirely different from a population at a nearby shopping mall or at a farmyard 32km (20mi) away. Listen to song at Cornell Lab All About Birds.

Calls: Starlings produce a variety of calls throughout the season and may have at least a dozen types of calls for flock or individual communication. The most common calls include the male's "Peweeerw" whistle (which sounds like a person whistling, and is similar to the Eastern Wood Pewee), a chattering call, and a metallic "Switch Switch" or "Chik Chik" warning call. They also make a low "Merwrrf" call when flushed, and make standalone calls of other birds, and mechanical sounds without forming a song. Starlings may also clap their bill, use wing drumming, and make other sounds with their body. Starlings are relatively quiet during migration or winter and are most vocal before, and after their nesting cycle. 

Range: Common Starlings currently are present in most of North America including the Contiguous United States, much of Canada below the treeline, and in Northern Mexico. They are also present in Australia, the Caribbean, South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands. Their native range covers continental Europe and North Africa. The North American birds have developed migratory patterns and generally occur as summer residents in the Northern US and Canada, and are winter residents in Mexico, South Florida, and in the Caribbean. Some studies suggest that most of the North American migrate or move nomadically to some degree.

In the Carolinas: Starlings are present in all counties and regions of North and South Carolina and are common to abundant throughout their range. They become more numerous during the winter months when northern birds arrive, and are more localized during the summer. In Southeastern NC and Northeastern SC, breeding populations arrive in February and mostly depart by late July or early August, while winter birds come in with blackbirds, grackles, and American Robins from late October through February, while some males will remain near their breeding ranges all year. 

 Typical habitat is woodlands with open areas and parkland. Airlie Gardens Mar 2019 

Habitat: Common Starlings can live in a wide range of forested, or human-altered landscapes and are absent only in open grasslands, coastal islands, alpine or heathland habitats, and suburban or urban areas without suitable nest sites. Starlings in the Carolinas are often found in forested parks and neighborhoods, public gardens, along riparian buffers, hedgerows, wooded copses bordering fields, and around, barns, billboards, overpasses, high-rises, and older homes. They need trees, open grassy areas or understory, and natural or artificial cavities for nesting. They are not as tied to human habitation as the House Sparrow, Rock Dove, or Monk Parakeet and can be found in the countryside, and in forest or woodlands. During migration and winter, starlings mix with other blackbirds, meadowlarks, and grackles and visit fields, meadows, croplands, coastal marshes, and suburban or urban parks (often football "soccer", and other sporting facilities). 

Starling at nest hole, April 2020, same tree also has a Red Bellied Woodpecker nest.

Breeding: Starlings breed fairly early in the year with birds in our area nesting as early as February, and most nests completed by early June. This species typically raises one brood per year and unlike House Sparrows, they do not form colonies, although multiple nesting pairs may occupy the same building if cavities are abundant. As hole nesters, Starlings need tree holes, cavities, or crevices to nest although they will also use ledges or occupy old squirrel dreys or the nests of crows, ravens, hawks, or herons if needed. In our area, Common Starlings typically choose old woodpecker holes (from Hairy, Red Bellied Woodpeckers, Common Flickers, or the larger Pileated Woodpecker) about 3-15m (10-50ft) above the ground. Based on Cornell studies, Starlings have a relatively minor impact on hole nesting species in North America with the exception of Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, and I have seen Starlings, Crested Flycatchers, and woodpeckers (one time two species) use the same tree for nesting. This species may also nest under eaves, in vents, signage, streetlamps, and in natural rock crevices, and will use mid-sized nest boxes placed 3m (10ft) or higher. 

Nest: Starlings fill their nest cavities with grass, plant stems, reeds, twigs, and occasionally rubbish such as plastic, paper, and bits of rags. Their nests are typically cupped and orderly and can resemble an Eastern Bluebird nest, except with different materials. Starlings may line their nests with the hair of humans, dogs, cats, horses, and deer, utilize feathers, cellophane or snakeskin, and like Purple Martins, will collect green leaves throughout the nesting cycle. Unlike House Sparrows and most species of finches or swallows, Starlings maintain a clean nest site and will remove fecal sacks and soiled nest material throughout the nesting cycle. They lay 3-6 bluish eggs (similar to an American Robin or Eastern Bluebird) with incubation lasting around 12 days, and the nestling period lasting up to 24 days. Both parents care for the nest and incubate, and additional birds may assist with feeding on occasion (I have seen one or two unmated birds help with a nest). Fledglings become independent after one or two weeks and form large flocks in fields or parklands. Breeding birds often vacate their nesting territories shortly after the fledglings mature, similar to Orchard and Baltimore Orioles, Common Grackles, and swallows. Nest sites are often reused for multiple seasons although the pairs always remove the old material when they arrive. 

Diet: Starlings are omnivores that eat a wide range of animal prey and vegetable matter although they primarily consume soft foods. The birds have long beaks that are designed for probing soil, mud, or decayed wood and usually spear their beaks into the ground and open them (a tactic known as Gapping) to enlarge the cavity. They typically forage for beetle grubs (including Japanese Beetles), earthworms, garden snails, and various insects on lawns, in meadows, or mudflats, although they will also forage in leaf litter, around compost heaps, and even on beaches. Starlings may also feed in trees, amongst garden plants, or in urban areas become opportunistic and loiter around picnic areas, campsites, or parking lots, although I have found the latter behavior to be uncommon in the Carolinas compared to places like Washington DC, New York City, Chicago, or in the theme parks of Orlando Florida. Starlings consume a variety of fruits and berries and often feed on mulberries, wild cherries, elderberry, Virginia Creeper, magnolia, spicebush, and Cherry Laurel as well as cultivated figs, pears, apples, or citrus. They can cause damage to fruits in orchards but like many birds, Starlings also control many agricultural and forestry pests. They consume cereal grains, corn, and some tree nuts (acorns, hickories, or the seeds of alder, and sycamore) on occasion, but mostly switch to seeds only when fruits and insects are unavailable. At bird tables, Starlings primarily go for suet, mealworms, grape jelly, table scraps, or fruits, but may also accept peanuts, corn, and "no-mess" seed blends, they ignore or rake out seeds and grains, and tend to be picky on suet blends.    

Status: Starlings are still common and widespread in North America and populations in the Carolinas appear to be stable. After rapidly expanding their range for nearly a century, the North American Starling populations have reached a climax in the Mid-19th Century and declined significantly afterwards. In their native range in Europe, Starlings are declining very rapidly and in Britain, the species is considered threatened, while Cornell All About bird states that Common Starlings have declined more than 50% in North America from the Mid-1960s through 2015 (Cornell All About Birds). This is a similar trend to other insectivorous birds such as the Wood Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Catharus Thrushes, and Eastern Meadowlarks among others. Some threats to Starlings include insecticides and toxins affecting insect populations, acid rains, changes in building designs that eliminate artificial nest sites (Noting that Starlings are often absent or limited in modern developments), and the removal of dead trees and snags in parks and woodlands. Starlings are also kept in check by natural processes with sparrowhawks (particularly Cooper's Hawks), falcons, and certain owls commonly preying on adults, while nests can be raided by raccoons, squirrels, Red Bellied Woodpeckers, Fish Crows, grackles, and snakes. Starlings and Red Winged Blackbirds may also be wiped out by disease, or other environmental issues and based on migration patterns, Starlings rely on insects and could be impacted by harsh winters.

Impact: While Common Starlings are considered an invasive species and can compete with native hole nesters and even ledge nesting birds for breeding sites, studies and bird surveys have shown that Starlings have little impact on native bird populations. TheCornell's All About Bird entry for this species, stated in studies that only sapsuckers showed declines due to Starlings and that many species appear to be holding their own. Starlings also coexist with other birds outside of nesting and often feed with meadowlarks, blackbirds, grackles, thrushes, and Common Flickers in fields or open woodlands, and from my observations, are actually not all that aggressive towards garden birds. House Sparrows have more of a significant impact on hole nesting birds than Starlings because they are smaller, more prolific, and will destroy the nests of other birds or kill adult birds. Although this species is rarely found outside of settlements or farmyards, while Starlings can live independent of human habitats and move into woodlands. Other impacts from Common Starlings mostly stem from human interests such as damage to fruits and citrus, occasional problems with corn and cereal growers, and nuisance issues of birds nesting or flocking in urban areas, disrupting air traffic at airports, and the mess associated with larger flocks. From my perspective, I find Starlings to not be as destructive as suggested in literature, and opinions from birdwatchers or gardeners, although they do have the potential to compete with native birds, cause nuisance issues in urban and agricultural areas, and are highly successful.   

Additional Reading at Cornell All About Birds

Notes and Garden Information 

Common Starling at mealworm feeder, April 2021

Garden Notes: Common Starlings are interesting and fun birds to watch and I think they are among the coolest garden birds. They are highly intelligent, have beautiful plumages, and exotic sounding calls that bring life to a urban, suburban, or rural garden. While chickadees, titmice, wrens, House Sparrows, finches, and several of our warbler species can be right at home in our dooryards and gardens, Starlings are more likely to be encountered in common areas like parks, village or town squares, or in the hedgerows or woodlots bordering communities or farmlands. They will feed on freshly cut lawns as long as chemicals are not used, and often follow gardeners to grab grubs, worms, pillbugs, crickets, and snails exposed by digging. However, except for the birds of major urban cities and amusement parks (generally outside of Carolina), Starlings are skittish and will fly away when approached or if you open the door. With time, local birds may become use to certain people and allow for approach, venture to birdfeeders or tables, and may even raise a brood in your garden. In the winter, Starlings are usually seen amongst other flocking species and are generally the third or fourth most numerous bird after Red Winged Blackbirds, American Robins, and Common Grackles depending on the habitat an season. You may also see Eastern Meadowlarks, Rusty Blackbirds, Bobolinks, or even Common Flickers mixed in with starlings or blackbirds. During the spring and summer, Starlings like to feed with American Robins, Wood Thrushes, Ibis, Killdeers or certain sandpipers (Spotted Sandpiper or Upland Sandpiper for example), Pine Warblers, Chipping Sparrows, or in more urban or agrarian areas, House Sparrows and Rock Doves. Near the beach, you can find Starlings with sandpipers, Wilson's Plovers, or Boat Tailed Grackles as well as Rock Doves. In all of these interactions, Starlings may be pushy but usually coexist and occupy a different niche by specializing in prey deep in the soil or amongst decayed logs. 

Behavior and Life Cycle: Starlings also have some interesting behaviors during the breeding season. When the males first arrive in the late winter (unless one decided to overwinter), you may notice them going in and out of tree holes, or under the eaves of older homes or the awning of a local shopping center. Males might even start "house hunting" in the Autumn much like woodpeckers, chickadees, or bluebirds if they do not migrate or join a mixed flock. Once the females arrive, males will begin to make "Pheeweee" whistles and sing from the entrance of their chosen nest hole or on top of a tall tree, hedge, or chimney. He may also wing wave, fluff his neck and crown feathers, and perform a circling display flight similar to a Skylark or Pipit. While it appears Starlings may stay with the same female for multiple seasons (or for life) most males will perform courtship displays, territorial calls, and pairing activities each winter or spring. The birds are mainly aggressive to other Starlings with males chasing off other males, while females will chase away other females from their nest holes. Away from the nest, Starlings are tolerant of each other and other species and despite their large size and powerful beaks, they are quite docile to other bird table visitors and to birds in general. They give way to Red Bellied Woodpeckers, grackles, Blue Jays, Fish or Common Crows, and Grey Catbirds, are chased off by Mockingbirds and even House Sparrows, and maintain dominance over smaller birds except nuthatches, Carolina Wrens, and Downy Woodpeckers (which will ignore larger birds at feeders). During the incubation period, Starlings become quiet and seem to disappear from the landscape, while after the eggs hatch, males and females will spend most of the day getting food for their young. Starlings will fly quite long distances to get food, flying more than 1.6km or 1mi to reach a field, meadow, or marsh. At my townhome, I have observed starlings fly from the eaves of our building to a baseball field several blocks away and come back with Lubber Grasshoppers, earthworms, or other food. After fledging, juvenile and subadult Starlings are loud and will make odd buzzing sounds, and demand constant attention from their parents and often an additional nest helper. After a month or so, the parents will start attacking or chasing their brood, or will leave the territory to force the youngsters to fend for themselves. Just as quickly as they arrive in February, Starlings will disappear almost overnight sometime in July or perhaps August, along with the American Robins, Orchard Orioles, Kingbirds, Crested Flycatchers, and most of the warbler and vireos. During this time, look and listen for massive flocks of Starlings near sports fields, pastures, or open spaces in parks with dozens or even hundreds of birds may line up along fencerows, hedges, or powerlines. A month of so after they leave their nest grounds, almost all of the flocks will leave for migration (in their winter plumages), making them hard to come by until October when the winter flocks arrive. 

Garden Tips: While Starlings may not be the most popular bird with gardeners and birdwatchers, they are still beneficial and the scientific evidence supports that Starlings are not as destructive to native birds as once thought. You generally do not need to do much to attract Starlings and most properties that have mature hardwood or coniferous trees, hedgerows or copses, meadow or lawn areas without pesticide treatments, and fruit bearing trees will be suitable for Starlings. Some improvements that can be made to the landscape can include adding native fruit bearing trees or shrubs such as magnolia, Red Mulberry, dogwoods, hackberry, spicebush, elderberry, or any of the native vines (Muscatine or Summer Grape, Virginia Creeper, and Peppervine) to the landscape to provide alternate food sources for birds. The same shrubs will also be enjoyed by Wood Thrushes, Hermit Thrushes, Red Eyed Vireos, Grey Catbirds, American Robins, tanagers, and orioles. Mown lawns are good for Starlings, but a meadow area, insect rich flowerbed with native plants, or a lawn with wildflowers is even better as it offers insect habitat, native seeds, and better cover for birds. Evergreens such as Red Cedar, Leyland's Cypress, Common Juniper, or hedges of broad-leaved evergreens such as magnolia, camellia, and bays can provide roosting sites for blackbirds, starlings, or American Robins during the winter, particularly if a creek or river runs along the property.

Nesting: For nesting, deadwood including snags and dead trees are crucial for hole nesting birds and since Starlings nest solitarily, a tree with multiple woodpecker holes can support this species, Crested Flycatchers, titmice, nuthatches, and even Kestrels or Screech, Barred, and Barn Owls once the woodpeckers are finished. While Starlings nesting in inappropriate spots can be a problem in urban, agricultural, or commercial areas, you can give the birds alternative nest sites in the form of ledges, nesting shelves, or open sided nest boxes mounted to the side of a building or inside a barn. These structures will also help Barn Swallows, Cliff Swallows, Phoebes or Crested Flycatchers (depending on where you live), and possibly a Barn Owl or Horned Owl if the outbuilding is secluded enough (i.e., a Hay Loft or unused silo). Starlings generally do not use conventional nest boxes placed at the height for Eastern Bluebirds or most woodland species (1-2m or 3-6ft above ground). Any nest box with an hole or slot at least 5cm (2") in size can be used by Common Starlings, although they only use boxes higher than 3m (10ft) above the ground in woodlands or directly attached to buildings. There are plans and prebuilt boxes available for Starlings which have slightly larger floorplans than typical bluebird or wren boxes, and may have slot or round holes of appropriate size. They will also use boxes for flickers, owls, Wood Ducks, and even ones meant for tree squirrels and flying squirrels. However, since Starlings are solitary and defensive of their nest sites, they will not take over all of your birdhouses and usually nest well before most similar sized birds (i.e., Crested Flycatchers) arrive. As with other birds, Starling boxes should be cleaned between seasons although monitoring would likely be impractical as they are too high up and are somewhat skittish. If Starlings are taking over a Purple Martin House, consider installing Starling Guards (commonly available as addons) or move the boxes away from woodlands. Another thing to note, is that Starlings will usually avoid hanging nest boxes, and gourds while Purple Martins, Crested Flycatchers, and titmice will still nest in hanging boxes. 

Common Starling at suet feeder

Bird Table Information: Starlings can be "hit or miss" at birdfeeders or bird tables and are not always present. It both places I have lived, I have had Starlings come reliably for suet, mealworms, fruits, and soft foods such has table scraps. They almost always ignore seed feeders and at my current residence, they will rake out seeds in favor of raisins, mealworms, or sometimes peanuts if I mix them in with my no-mess blend. Many books including the Jerry Baker Garden guides, say that Starlings may consume cracked corn, budget seed mixes, or bread, although my observations have shown that this species ignores these items. On a side note, corn and cereal grains like wheat, barley, oats, millet, and milo are not popular at all with garden birds in the Carolinas and are more likely to attract rats, squirrels, and House Sparrows than anything else. Corn and grains also bring in Cowbirds which you may not want to encourage during the breeding season if you have Brown Thrashers, Wood Thrushes, warblers, Carolina Wrens, and vireos nesting in your garden or neighborhood. For Starlings, I found that pure suet or lard, or store-brought cakes with peanut butter, peanuts, mealworms, and fruits are most popular, while any cakes with fillers with corn, grain, or tree nuts are ignored by by this species and virtually every suet visitor at our garden once the lard has been removed. Starlings generally prefer feeders relatively high up and reliably come to suet cages, mealworm feeders, mounted bird tables or hoppers, and at my current residence, window mounted feeders. During the winter, massive flocks of starlings, blackbirds, and other species may visit a bird table or ground feeder for various items, although I find Redwings, Grackles, and Cowbirds to be the most active at feeders. Flocks can scare off other birds, empty feeders, and create a mess, but usually move on after a day or so. Water features are important for all bird species and Common Starlings readily use pedestal birdbaths, ground-level birdbaths, and garden ponds for drinking and bathing. 

American Robin

 American Robin 

Turdus migratorius

American Robin foraging on disturbed soil, Wilmington March 2019

The American Robin is one of seven species of thrushes that occur in the Carolinas and with four of them occurring as breeders in North or South Carolina. The Robin is the only member of the Turdus genus which is primarily Old-World family of thrushes that includes the Fieldfare, Eurasian Redwing, Eurasian Blackbird, Song Thrush, although there are a few Latin American examples. This is our largest thrush and despite the common name, this bird is not related to the Eurasian Robin "Robin Redbreast" familiar in the English Isles, or Continental Europe and featured on many cards, books, paintings, vases, or even packages of bird food. In North America, the Robin is one of the most recongizable birds as well as among the most abundant species alongside the Red Winged Blackbird (also nicknamed the Redwing), Indigo Bunting, Goldfinch, and Common Starling among others. In the Cape Fear Region, Robins are mostly known as winter transients and localized breeders and are not nearly as common as they are in places further inland or north. Still, most gardens should host American Robins at some point of the year and winter and early spring can yield flocks that number into the thousands or in some areas even higher. In general, the Robin is the most commonly encountered of the thrushes although Eastern Bluebirds are usually more abundant from late spring through autumn. 

Description and Ecology

Female in January 2010, Wilmington NC

Male in January 2010, Wilmington NC

The American Robin is rather large songbird that has a plump appearance, long legs, and a fairly long bill meant for probing soil (not as long as the Starling). This is our largest thrush and its European counterpart, the Fieldfare is  almost identical in shape, size, and form with a different plumage. This bird is virtually unmistakable with adults being dark grey or sometimes black on the back, wings, and head with an orange, red, or rust colored underside and some regional variation

Plumage: Adult males are usually black, grey, or even silver on the back and wings, with a dark head, white on the face, and red or orange underside. They also have white under the tail and yellowish beaks. Females are paler overall with more white  on the face, while juveniles have  spotted bodies. The closest thing that looks like a Robin is the Eastern Bluebird which is way smaller and blue on the back.

Size: Length 25-28cm (9.8-11"), Wingspan 42-45cm (16.5-18"), This size range is commonly referred to as "Robin-sized" in North America to described medium-sized land birds. 

Song: American Robins sing a fluting series of whistles or melodic phrases that vary by region or population or even individuals. The song is usually syllabic, repetitive, and has a back and forth pattern. I often remember it as "Churry Up, Churry Wee, Elu-weee". The song may end with a high trill or gurgling series (similar to what a Wood Thrush or Hermit Thrush might make). Males primarily give this song during the nesting season but flocks may sing in unison during migration, especially in January and February. Listen to Songs at Cornell All About Birds

Calls: Robins have a variety of calls that are often loud and difficult to ignore. Their  main calls include a loud chuckle or laughing sound, various clucks, and a descending trill that may be given any time of year. Their flight call is high and is comparable to a Treecreeper or Cedar Waxwing, while their warning call is a piercing  "Seeeeesse" call not unlike a titmouse, with the latter being used to signal the presence of Accipiter sparrowhawks or falcons (like a Cooper's Hawk, Peregrine, or Goshawk). Listen to Calls at Cornell All About Birds

Range: American Robins occur across  North America breeding as far as Alaska and the Tundra regions of Canada south into Mexico and even into Central America. They are among the most widespread birds in North America and are highly migratory. In general they are summer residents in the north, and winter resident further south, although they can be seen in any season in much of  the United States. Populations will replace each other, meaning that the winter Robins are not the same birds as the ones that nest. Robins occasionally stray into Greenland, Iceland and Europe where they mix with Fieldfares, while the opposite is true for the Fieldfare.  

In the Carolinas: American Robins are listed as year-round residents and are seen in all counties of the Carolinas. They are generally common with population peaks during the summer, and again in the winter (they are uncommon in the autumn). In the Cape Fear Region, American Robins are primarily winter residents and are most abundant from November to April, while they are uncommon as breeders, and quite rare from September to Mid-October. 

Habitat: American Robins can be found in virtually any habitat with trees, copses or hedgerows, and open understory or grassy areas. In the breeding season, Robins reside mostly in open woodlands with tall trees, riparian groves, or near hedgerows, and wooded gardens, although in other regions they are right at home in cities, towns, and open suburban neighborhoods. In the winter, flocks roost in woodlands, hedges, or evergreens, and congregate near fruit-bearing trees or in open fields (like pastures or sports fields) with Starlings, blackbirds, and Meadowlarks. 

Breeding: American Robins breed from late March to July with 1-2 broods (sometimes three) raisd per season. They mostly breed in the interior regions of the Carolinas (especially from Raleigh or Fayetteville westward), and choose small or large trees as nest sites. In our region, they are more likely to nest in stands of pines, juniper, or deciduous trees, or in hedgerows about 3-15m (10-50ft) above the ground. Robins occasionally nest on the ground in tall grass or use nesting shelves, eaves, rafters, and hanging planters as nest sites. They may nest singly or in loose colonies containing multiple pairs and are known to associate with Eastern Kingbirds, Orchard or Baltimore Orioles, Cardinals, or in more wooded settings Brown Thrashers, and Wood Thrushes.

Nest: Robins make a tightly woven cup of grass, pine straw, and roots that is lined on the inside with mud or occasionally cow dung. The presence of mud is a good way to distinguish a robin nest from another similar nest such as a Wood Thrush, or Grey Catbird, while Mockingbirds always use sticks and twigs. The nest may be placed on a crotch or forking branch of a tree or large shrub, amongst vines or tangles, or on a ledge. They lay 3-6 (usually 4) blue eggs and the nesting cycle takes around 27 days. 

Diet: American Robins feed on a mixture of invertebrates and fruits as well as vertebrates on rare occasions. Their preferred prey includes garden snails, earthworms, crickets, and beetle grubs found in grassy areas or amongst leaf litter or in damp soil. They use their bill to probe or dig in the soil or rake leaves, and can be quite opportunistic. They consume fruits throughout the year including cherries, mulberries, blueberries, and elderberries in the summer, hackberries, magnolia and dogwoods in the autumn, and hollies, privet, and cherry laurel in the winter. American Robins rarely come to bird tables or feeding stations but I have seen them take bread, raisins, fruits, mealworms, or shelled sunflower seeds during inclement weather. 

Status: Robins are still one of the most abundant birds in North America and according to the  Cornell Lab of Ornithology populations are stable or increasing. If this trend is true, American Robins may be one of the few birds in North America with increasing population as most others are declining, including the nonnative House Sparrow, or the seemingly prolific Red Winged Blackbird. American Robins are commonly preyed on by sparrowhawks (both Sharp Shinned and Cooper's), Merlin or Peregrines, and domestic cats, while snakes, tree squirrels, rats, raccoons, crows, jays, and even grackles may eat their eggs or young. Grey Catbirds, and Northern Mockingbirds might even destroy the eggs of other songbirds including Robins. Human impacts include pesticide use on lawns (which are favored feeding habitat by American Robins), overuse of nonnative plants in gardens which reduce insects, and collisions with towers, windows, and vehicles. Despite this Robins do quite well in garden settings, urban areas, and further inland or north, suburbia.

Learn More at Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds

Notes

American Robin in Millennial Park in Chicago IL, June 2019

Behavior: American Robins are generally terrestrial birds that feed mostly on the ground and are often seen running on lawns, shortgrass meadows, or in the understories of deciduous or mixed forests. They probe the soil or mud with their beak and often look for worms, snails, and insects. These birds are quite sociable and will feed in loose groups and congregate in fields, pastures, or muddy fields. In the winter, they can form flocks that number into the tens of thousands, and  include  Starlings, Red Winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, or Eastern Meadowlarks, as well as Cedar Waxwings depending on the setting. They also mix with Killdeers, other plovers, Horned Larks, and  Pipits in large open areas or cropland. They nest in loose colonies, associate with other countryside or woodland species, and rarely get into territorial conflicts once their breeding ranges are established. In general, Robins are skittish birds that will flush or run away when approach and are weary of aerial predators, although they can also become fearless of people. They defend their nests from potential predators by attacking them with their beaks or feet, making loud noises, and will occasionally attack people (though not  as much as Mockingbirds, Thrashers or Catbirds). 

Singing Patterns: American Robins and many of our thrushes as well as Brown Thrashers sing during the predawn and twilight hours. Robins and Wood Thrushes even have different songs during the daytime than they do at dusk or dawn. The birds usually sing an hour or two before daybreak to just after sunrise giving a fast fluted song alternated by a descending trill. During the day, their song is slower, but may transition into a continuous back and forth pattern during or after rainstorms, or when the birds are beginning to nest. They sing again just before sunset until an hour or two after dark with the more flute-like song given slowly. Another interesting aspect of Robins and maybe other thrushes is that males will sing more once the nesting cycles begin, quiet down during incubation, and become loud once the eggs hatch again. Most other birds stop singing entirely once the nesting cycle begins and even prolific singers like Cardinals, Catbirds, Indigo Buntings, and House Finches still quiet down when they are incubating or raising young. In the winter and spring, flocks of American Robins will sing in unison while they are migrating northward, filling the air with whistles, chatters, and trills. This is also unusual and  is also seen in Starlings, and many of the blackbird species. 

Migratory Patterns: Another interesting aspect of Robins is their movements during the nonbreeding season. Most books and stories we read about Robins said that the birds migrate south for the winter and return the next spring. Seeing a Robin is a common harbinger of spring in North  America including in our region. In reality, American Robins can be present in the US during any month of the year and in many areas in the south including the Carolina Coast, they are more abundant in the winter. Over the years, I have noticed that our breeding American Robins disappear from gardens or parks in August (around the same time the Orchard Orioles and Grey Catbirds leave and everyone becomes silent except the Mockingbirds). From August to Late October, Robin are hard to come by even as other migratory birds are passing through in large numbers. Then in November, large flocks of birds from northern regions fly high overhead and visit magnolias, hackberries, and other fruits that the vireos, other thrushes, and migrating Catbirds did not finish. Then from late December until March, the Robins show up in massive flocks to strip trees or hedges clean of fruits as the migrate northward. I noticed this same pattern with Common Starlings, Red Winged Blackbirds, Grackles, Cedar Waxwings, Goldfinches/Siskins, and Chipping Sparrows. I am not sure if the flocking birds are truly migrating north or are just nomadic winter residents, although I often notice the flocks flying in a northwesterly direction or due north from January to March.

Human Interactions: American Robins are very adaptable and have benefited greatly from human activities and land uses. Farmlands, residential areas, and timberlands provide suitable foraging and nesting habitats for the birds, while many of the shrubs used in our gardens and streetscapes provide fruits for Robins, Hermit Thrushes, and Carolina Wrens (and others) all winter. Robins have also developed an interesting ritual when it comes to foraging in human-altered landscapes. The birds are known to descend on lawns or sports fields just behind lawnmowers to feed on disturbed insects, while recently turned compost piles, or major tilling projects in the garden will expose snails and grubs for these birds. Robins appear to be at  home in suburban gardens in the Northeast, Midwest, and Interior East. When I was in Asheville, Raleigh, or up in Northwestern Ohio, Robins were everywhere, on lawns, atop mailboxes, and even just meters (feet) away from us in a park. In Wilmington and other areas in Eastern North or South Carolina, Mockingbirds seen to take their place with the same habits. Robins are not afraid to nest near people either and in other regions I have seen them nesting on doorframes, statues, low shrubs outside of businesses, and on window ledges of apartments in Boston or Chicago. Because of their relationship with us, and their familiarity, American Robins are a symbol of suburban life and are often the first bird that any child would learn about.

Garden Information 

American Robin amongst Wisteria in March 2020, Wilmington NC

American Robins are easy birds to host in your garden and in most areas of North America they are already present. This also applies in the Cape Fear Region, although Robins are harder to come by and usually stick to more forested settings rather than suburban lawns or the local soccer field. While lawns seem to be a favorite for Robins, Starlings, Mockingbirds, Chipping Sparrows or Pine Warblers, these birds still need places to nest, alternate food sources, and water to be happy in a garden. If their needs are met, you may host breeding Robins and get to see their nesting cycle, and listen to their songs all summer, while enjoying them again when their northern counterparts visit hollies or viburnums like "Snowbird Tourists" from New England or the Great Lakes. Robins have many benefits to gardeners including the ability to destroy garden snails and slugs that skeletonize your greens, and Japanese Beetle or June Beetle "Junebugs" grubs that can mess up lawns.  

Landscaping: In our area, Robins are more likely to nest in wooded gardens and neighborhoods or along edges of mature or second-growth forests. They also like copses, hedgerows, or windbreaks in rural areas or large parks. Most suburban and urban gardens can become havens for Robins if shrubs, small and large trees, and native plants are added  to the landscape. The birds generally nest in medium sized to large trees with sturdy branches or crotches. Longleaf, Shortleaf, or Loblolly Pines, Eastern Red Cedar, Atlantic (and Eastern) White Cedar, Arborvitae, and other conifers seem to be popular nest sites for Robins. They will also nest in most other trees or shrubs including oaks, elms, Crepe Myrtles, dogwoods, camellias, birches, and any hedge-forming shrub, though I would avoid weak trees like Bradford/Callary Pear, Glossy Privet, and other weak trees. Underplanting mature canopy trees with subcanopy and understory trees adds value to nesting birds. For foraging habitat, include areas of wildflowers, low-growing herbs, and woodland plants rather than just manicured lawns. Woodland areas with violets, bunchberry, carpet bugle, Partridgeberry, or in sunnier areas clover offer more food than a pure lawn. Tolerating weeds and reducing or eliminating pesticide use also makes lawns more useful for birds, consider using native grasses like Buffalo Grass, and St Augustine Grass as these are more resistant to pests, host native insects, and are better adapted to our hot climates. The third landscaping consideration is to provide fruit sources. Include plants such as Red Mulberry, Smooth/Stag-horn Sumac, Vaciniums (Blueberries) Black Cherry, or Muscatine Grape or Brambles (Blackberries and Raspberries) for summer fruits. Southern and Sweet Bay Magnolia, Hackberry, Persimmon, and Dogwood are by far the best autumn fruits for migratory songbirds, while American Holly, hawthorns, Carolina Cherry Laurel, and Roses are good standbys for winter fruits. Do not use buckthorns, privets, Tallow/Popcorn Tree, or Chinaberry as these are invasive plants that Robins and other birds could disperse across the landscape by eating the seeds. A garden with these features will not only host Robins but are also good for a number of other birds such as Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, migrating warblers, and the other thrush species. 

Nesting: Trees, shrubs, and vines are the best ways to net a pair or colony of American Robins during the summer. Hedgerows can provide nesting habitat for dozens of bird species and should be included in every garden or agricultural area. Rows of shrubs, trees, and vines can be used as property borders, to separate sections of the garden or provide backdrop for flowerbeds. The more naturalized the hedge is, the more attractive it is for birds. For Robins, the shrubs mentioned above are good choices, although the main limiting factor for larger garden birds is the availability of sturdy branches or tree crotches to support nests. You can prune hedges or trees in a way to promote denser growth and stronger branches or add more support by planting other trees and shrubs to provide protection from windstorms, predators, and add more options. This will be the subject of future articles about Coppicing, Pruning, and providing Hedgerows for birds. Robins are one of the few open nesting birds that will accept a manmade nest box. There are many plans available to build open-sided birdhouses, nesting shelves, or platforms for robins, starlings, swallows or martins, certain flycatchers, and other birds. Keeping cats indoors, and respecting nest sites by not pruning in the summer and observing from a safe distance can help garden birds be successful during the nesting season. Roses, brambles, and smilax are good deterrents for cats, raccoons, and foxes while hollies (especially English or Japanese Hollies) and hawthorns can be cat-proof barriers for birds if you have space for them. Like other birds, Robins will take offerings of grass, pine straw, pet or human hair, or short length yawn (so it will not entangle the birds) for nesting material. Wetting the ground can create a mud source for Robins, or Barn/Cliff Swallows. 

Bird Tables: Robins and most other thrushes (except Bluebirds and occasionally Hermit Thrushes) do not come to bird tables or feeders and rarely take handouts. In the winter, Robins may turn up singly or in flocks to feed on soft foods, mealworms, or even bread when snow or ice make fruits and prey harder to access. In almost all of these cases (about four times since I began feeding birds), the food was directly on the ground and the flock happened to descend on the ground. Grackles, Redwings and other blackbirds and occasionally Meadowlarks will descend on a bird table or ground feeder with corn, grain, or sunflower seeds and wipe the food clean. Robins may mix in with these birds on a cold day. I have read in various books including ones written by Jerry Baker, Sally Roth, and a number of garden or backyard bird authors that American Robins may eat suet, grape jelly, peanut butter, or other treats. Since many of these foods attract other birds like orioles, wrens, thrashers, and warblers, or other birds that ignore seeds, it is worth a try. 

Other Tips: A garden with a good mixture of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, and some open space will be an ideal habitat for Robins if you are lucky enough to live within their breeding range. Any garden with fruits are practically guaranteed attract robins during the winter months. Robins and other thrushes need little else to survive in a garden and you may soon see other wonderful species such as Orchard Orioles or Kingbirds in more open areas, or Wood Thrushes and Brown Thrashers in more forested areas. Water is often an overlooked commodity that every garden should provide. Robins will happily use any kind of birdbath or ground-level water feature that is safe and clean. Ordinary pedestal birdbaths will work for most garden birds as long as they have a rough surface and are kept clean. Place birdbaths away from shrubs to give birds a  chance to see predators but keep them close enough (about 5m or 15ft) from trees or cover to allow escape if a falcon or hawk stops by. Other tips for garden birds include using insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides less often or seeking organic options, and using plants that are adapted for your region. Pesticides can contaminate the food that birds and other animals eat and could kill nestlings, adults, or lead to bioaccumulation in birds of prey or mammalian predators. Prune shrubs, trees, and vines only during the autumn or winter to avoid accidentally destroying nests of songbirds.