Long-tailed Mockingbird

Long-tailed Mockingbird
Long-tailed Mockingbird
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Mimidae
Genus: Mimus
Species: M. longicaudatus
Binomial name
Mimus longicaudatus
Tschudi, 1844

The Long-tailed Mockingbird (Mimus longicaudatus) is a species of bird in the Mimidae family. It is found in dry scrubland and woodland in western Ecuador.

In Peru it is found throughout the coastal region, although much less so south of Ica.[2]

The bird favours open habitats with scattered low bushes and shrubs, such as forest edge and young second growth, montane scrub.[2]

It is frequently found in gardens and parks—especially in Miraflores and other parts of Greater Lima. It often feeds on the ground, running forwards on relatively long legs.

Description

An attractive, thrush-like bird, the Long-tailed Mockingbird has an with a long, elegant tail which it carries at a pert angle whilst on the ground. Its plumage is made up of gray, cappuccino, and dun coloured feathers. The outer tail feathers are broadly tipped white. Its face has been described as harlequin pattered. The juevenile is duller, with a dark iris, and is spotted or streaked on underparts.[2]

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".[2]

References

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2009). "Mimus longicaudatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106006857. Retrieved November 16, 2011. 
  2. ^ a b c d Thomas S. Schulenberg (2010). Birds of Peru. Princeton University Press. p. 528. ISBN 978-0-691-13023-1.