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Definition of northern mockingbird
northern mockingbird
Plural:northern mockingbirds
northern mockingbird Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
North American A medium-sized songbird (Mimus polyglottos) in the family Mimidae, native to North America, characterized by its grayish plumage, long tail, and remarkable ability to mimic the vocalizations of other bird species, insects, and mechanical sounds.
Example
"We sat on the porch listening to a Northern mockingbird rapidly cycle through the calls of blue jays, cardinals, and even a car alarm well into the evening."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The name derives from its northern geographic range relative to other species of mockingbirds in the Americas, combined with its defining behavioral trait of mimicking (mocking) the songs of other birds and environmental noises.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Northern mockingbird. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/northern mockingbird