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Step 1
Listen for the continuous melody of the northern mockingbird. This species can mimic other birds' songs and has been known to produce up to 200 different sounds. It sings long and loud, especially the “single” males, sometimes singing into the evening hours. The northern mockingbird can imitate barking dogs, musical instruments, sirens and even the sound of tractors. During its mating season, from March through August, the males have been known to keep up their singing all day long.
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Step 2
When you hear what seems like a complicated bird song, look to the highest point in your immediate area. Northern mockingbirds frequently sing their songs from the tops of roofs and trees. They keep adding new songs to their selection as they grow older. When walking through your town, keep your ears open for their song. Stop and look in the direction the sound is coming from, focusing on the peaks of roofs and chimneys, or the tops of telephone poles.
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Step 3
Watch for the flash of white.Watch for the white flash of the wings. A northern mockingbird in flight has large patches of white that show up on the wings, an unmistakable identifier. The northern mockingbird is found throughout the continental United States and is actually expanding its range. It prefers open areas such as farmlands and thickets. It also lives in suburbs, where it dines on insects and berries. The popular bird is also the state bird of Florida, Texas, Mississippi and Tennessee.
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Step 4
Look for gray on top and white underneath. The northern mockingbird has white bars on its wings and a long tail that is black with white on the outsides of it. It is about 10 inches long, equivalent in size to the robin. It lives year round in most of its range.
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Step 5
Be aware that the northern mockingbird may find you. This highly territorial bird is extremely protective of its nest. If you come too close, you may get a close-up meeting with a dive-bombing mockingbird.
