Blue-and-white mockingbird

The blue-and-white mockingbird is a species of bird in the family Mimidae. It is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.

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Distribution

Region

Mesoamerica

Typical Environment

Occurs in the highlands of southern Mexico (especially Chiapas) through Guatemala and into El Salvador and Honduras. Prefers humid montane and cloud forests, pine–oak forests with dense understory, and second-growth tangles. Often uses forest edges, ravines, and shaded agroforestry such as coffee plantations. Typically keeps to lower strata, moving through viney thickets and dense shrubs. It tolerates some habitat disturbance if cover remains.

Altitude Range

1000–3000 m

Climate Zone

Highland

Characteristics

Size23–26 cm

Wing Span34–38 cm

Male Weight0.07 kg

Female Weight0.065 kg

Life Expectancy8 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

A shy, understory-dwelling mockingbird of humid highland forests, it is more often heard than seen. Like many mimids, it delivers a rich, varied song that may include mimicry of other birds. It favors dense thickets and forest edges, including shaded coffee plantations, where it forages low to the ground.

Gallery

photograph from Mexico

Behaviour

Temperament

skulking but vocal

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats, low and direct between cover

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly or in pairs and maintains territories in dense vegetation. Cup nests are placed low in shrubs or tangles; both parents attend the young. Pair bonds may persist through the breeding season, and adults stay close to cover while foraging.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A rich, melodious series of whistles, trills, and liquid phrases delivered from concealed perches. Phrases are varied and may incorporate mimicry of other species, with pauses between stanzas.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Blue-and-white swallow

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Blue-and-yellow macaw

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Blue-backed manakin

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Blue-backed parrot

The blue-backed parrot, also known as Müller's parrot and Burbridge's parrot is a large, endangered species of parrot endemic to the Philippines. It is found in tropical moist lowland forest but is now feared locally extinct in a large part of its range including Negros, Panay, Leyte, Luzon and Polilio. The only recent records are in Samar, Mindanao and Tawi-tawi with the population being estimated below 250 individuals. Flocks are small and often active at night. Its main threats are habitat loss and trapping for the pet trade.