mockingbird

American  

[mok-ing-burd] / ˈmɒk ɪŋˌbɜrd /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of mockingbird

1670–80, mocking ( def. ) + bird

Example Sentences

Like “Hush, Little Baby,” with its gifts of a mockingbird and diamond ring, “Summertime” turns love into reassurance imagined.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

"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

The sky was blue, almost cloudless, and a mockingbird sang from a fence post.

From "The Old Willis Place" by Mary Downing Hahn