Patagonian mockingbird (Mimus patagonicus)
Facts – Patagonian mockingbird
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Mimidae |
| Genus | Mimus (1) |
| Size | Length: 22 - 25 cm (2) |
Status – Patagonian mockingbird
Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Description – Patagonian mockingbird
The Patagonian mockingbird is a small, South American passerine with a sombre plumage of browns, greys and whites (3). The upperparts of its body are greyish-brown, while the flight feathers are blackish with white tips. The crown of its head is brown but a black line runs through each eye and a whitish stripe, formally termed the supercilium, arches over each eye. The throat and belly are buffy-grey and the tail is black (2). In appearance, the Patagonian mockingbird closely resembles the more northerly chalk-browed mockingbird but is best identified by its smaller size, shorter tail, and less prominent supercilium (2) (3).
Range – Patagonian mockingbird
The Patagonian mockingbird occurs in northwest, central and southern Argentina, and in southern Chile (2).
Habitat – Patagonian mockingbird
Found in open woodland and desert shrubland from sea level up to 1,800 metres (2).
Biology – Patagonian mockingbird
Although often seen surveying its surroundings from a perch, the Patagonian mockingbird normally forages from the ground (2) (3). It is predominately insectivorous, but outside of the breeding season, will also eat fruits and berries (2)
In the north of its range, the Patagonian mockingbird is resident year round, but southerly populations migrate north over winter (2) (3). Breeding takes place from October through to January, but generally occurs earlier in the south. Breeding pairs are monogamous with each clutch comprising three to six eggs laid in a small twiggy nest in low vegetation (2).
Threats – Patagonian mockingbird
The Patagonian mockingbird is relatively common through most of its range and is not thought to be under any significant threat (2).
Conservation – Patagonian mockingbird
There are no conservation measures in place for the Patagonian mockingbird.
|
View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre. |
Find out more – Patagonian mockingbird
For information on the conservation of birds across the Americas see:
- American Bird Conservancy:
www.abcbirds.org
For more information on this and other bird species please see:
- BirdLife International:
http://www.birdlife.org
Authentication
Glossary
- Passerine: a group of more than 5,000 species of small to medium-sized birds which have widely varied plumage and shape. They all have three toes pointing forward and one directed backward which assists with perching, and are sometimes known as perching birds or song birds.
References
-
IUCN Red List (October, 2008)
http://www.iucnredlist.org - del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. and Sargatal, J. (2005) Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 10: Cuckoo-Shrikes to Thrushes. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
- Ridgely, R.S. and Tudor, G. (1989) The Birds of South America, Volume I: The Oscine Passerines: Jays, Swallows, Wrens, Thrushes and Allies, Vireos, Wood-warblers, Tanagers, Icterids and Finches. The University of Texas Press, Austin.
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Image credit
© Mariana Descalzo
Mariana Descalzo
meldes@gmail.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/meldes/
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