Blue Mockingbird

Overview

The blue mockingbird (Melanotis caerulescens) is a medium-sized bird in the family Mimidae, endemic to Mexico but occasionally recorded as a vagrant in the southern United States. It is rated as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its large population, although numbers are declining due to habitat fragmentation.

Identification

• Uniformly blue plumage on the back, tail, wings, head and underbelly, which can appear gray in the shade due to feather structure.
• A distinct black 'mask' surrounding reddish-brown eyes, with dark blue streaks over the breast.
• Medium-sized body measuring 24–27 cm in length, featuring a long, slightly graduated tail.
• Long, thin and slightly curved bill, with black legs and feet.

Habitat

Found throughout Mexico and occasionally the southern United States, this species inhabits a variety of woodlands including subtropical or tropical dry and moist montane forests, riparian thickets, scrub, pine-oak forests, and heavily degraded former forest. It occurs at elevations ranging from lowlands up to 2,450 m.

Diet

An omnivore, the blue mockingbird feeds primarily on invertebrates but also consumes some vegetable matter.

Did you know?

The species' uniform blue coloration is a result of feather structure rather than pigment, causing the bird to appear gray when in the shade.