Long-tailed mockingbird


The long-tailed mockingbird is a species of bird in the family Mimidae. It is found in dry scrubland and woodland in western Ecuador and Peru.
The bird favours open habitats with scattered low bushes and shrubs, such as forest edge and young second growth, montane scrub.
It is frequently found in gardens and parks. It often feeds on the ground, running forwards on relatively long legs.

Description

An attractive, thrush-like bird, the long-tailed mockingbird has a long, elegant tail which it carries at a pert angle whilst on the ground. Its plumage is made up of grey, cappuccino, and dun coloured feathers. The outer tail feathers are broadly tipped white. Its face has been described as harlequin patterned. The juvenile is duller, with a dark iris, and is spotted or streaked on underparts.

Voice

The voice of the long-tailed mockingbird is "a fairly slow-paced series of variable rich whistled notes, churrs, rattles, squawks, and other noises, often with phrases repeated. Calls a throaty "garr!" and rapsing "gaawrr".

Eggs

The eggs are an ovate shape. They are a light blue color, spotted and blotched with different shades of brown and gray. In the study of this nesting site of a Long-tailed Mocking Bird, the eggs were heavily parasitized. Six out of the seven were filled with 2 different species.

Gallery