Brown-backed mockingbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brown-backed mockingbird |
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| Two in Argentina | |
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| Genus: |
Mimus
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| Species: |
dorsalis
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The brown-backed mockingbird (Mimus dorsalis) is a type of bird that belongs to the Mimidae family. You can find this bird in Argentina and Bolivia. It's known for its unique look and song.
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What is a Brown-backed Mockingbird?
The brown-backed mockingbird is a special bird. It is closely related to the white-banded mockingbird (Mimus triurus). This means they are like "sister species" in the bird world. The brown-backed mockingbird is a single species, meaning it doesn't have different subspecies.
How to Identify This Bird
This mockingbird is about 21 to 25.5 centimeters (8.3 to 10 inches) long. It weighs between 52 and 65 grams (1.8 to 2.3 ounces). That's about the weight of a small apple!
- Head: It has a clear white stripe above its eye, like an eyebrow. There's also a black line through its eye. Its cheeks are a bit dark.
- Body: The top of its head and back are chestnut brown. This color is brightest on its rump (the lower back). Its head also has darker streaks.
- Tail: Most of its tail is blackish. But the outer three or four feathers are white.
- Underside: Its belly is whitish. Its chest, sides, and flanks have a light buff (yellowish-brown) color.
- Young Birds: Young mockingbirds look similar to adults. They have small dark spots on their chest.
Where Does It Live?
Most brown-backed mockingbirds live in western and southern Bolivia. You can find them from the La Paz area going south. They also live in northwestern Argentina, as far south as the Tucumán Province.
These birds like dry places. They live in areas with:
- Brush (small bushes)
- Desert shrubs
- Hedgerows (rows of bushes or small trees)
They often live near where people are. You can usually find them at high elevations. They prefer areas between 2,300 and 3,500 meters (7,500 to 11,500 feet) above sea level. Sometimes, they can be found as low as 1,700 meters (5,600 feet) or as high as 4,200 meters (13,800 feet).
How Does It Behave?
What Do They Eat?
The brown-backed mockingbird mostly looks for food on the ground. However, scientists haven't published many details about what it eats or how it finds its food.
How Do They Raise Their Young?
Brown-backed mockingbirds lay eggs and raise their young from November to March. They build a cup-shaped nest using twigs. They often build their nests inside cactus plants. Sometimes, they choose a bush instead. A female mockingbird usually lays four eggs. Not much else is known about how they raise their families.
What Does Its Song Sound Like?
The song of the brown-backed mockingbird is described as "a series of repeated harsh notes and chuckles." It sounds like it's having a conversation with itself!
Is This Bird Safe?
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has looked at the brown-backed mockingbird. They have listed it as a species of "Least Concern." This means it's not currently in danger of disappearing.
Even though it's not a bird that scientists study a lot, it seems to be common in places where it likes to live. There are no known big threats to its population right now.
