mockingbird

American  

[mok-ing-burd] / ˈmɒk ɪŋˌbɜrd /

noun

• mockingbirds
  plural

1. any of several gray, black, and white songbirds of the genus Mimus, especially M. polyglottos, of the U.S. and Mexico, noted for their ability to mimic the songs of other birds.

2. any of various related or similar birds, as Melanotis caerulescens blue mockingbird, of Mexico.

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mockingbird British  

/ ˈmɒkɪŋˌbɜːd /

noun

1. any American songbird of the family Mimidae, having a long tail and grey plumage: noted for their ability to mimic the song of other birds

2. a small scrub bird, Atrichornis rufescens , noted for its mimicry

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mockingbirds
  plural

Etymology

Origin of mockingbird

1670–80, mocking ( def. ) + bird

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mockingbird mockingbirds

They aim to unseat the mockingbird, which has held the top perch for 99 years, and crown the American flamingo state bird.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

"There's that mockingbird out there," Wayne tells Stella, as smiles flicker across their faces.

From BBC ● Apr. 2, 2025

They also recognized acorn woodpeckers, a California towhee, dozens of turkey vultures circling overhead, a dark-eyed junco, a mockingbird, an Anna’s hummingbird and a black phoebe.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2023

“This started as a drawing and became a collage which I’ve just completed. It’s a mockingbird, and some of the pieces of paper are piano sheet music.”

From New York Times ● Jul. 21, 2023

Littlefinger came next, still garbed in the blue velvets and silver mockingbird cape he had worn the night previous, his boots dusty from riding.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

Everett started Wild Wings with his late wife Judy in 1978 after a neighbor had inadvertently tossed a nest containing three baby mockingbirds into a barrel along with a load of lawn trimmings.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 10, 2023

Smaller birds defer to bigger birds, scooting off the feeding bench when jays or mockingbirds come in for a landing.

From Washington Post ● May 9, 2022

Even before the American Revolution, Jefferson had taken a liking to mockingbirds, and he brought this affection to the White House, which they filled with melodious song.

From Salon ● Apr. 30, 2022

Others were complicated with squiggles, lots of stripes and flourishes including ivy, eagles, ducks, mockingbirds, deer, bees and catfish.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 3, 2020

It was a beautiful morning when the yucca buds were opening and the mockingbirds were singing on the hill that my uncle Pedro drove up.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya