Fun Chalk-browed Mockingbird Facts For Kids

For any bird watcher or bird photographer spotting a chalk-browed mockingbird must be a common affair. However, how much do we really know about this winged species? Here is a fact-enriched piece about this brownish-gray bird with a majestic white-tipped tail.

Chalk-browed mockingbird also known as Mimus Saturnius is a tropical bird found in the savanna regions of  Brazil, and parts of Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Suriname and Argentina. This feathered species belongs to the  Mimidae family, Aves class, and Animalia kingdom. They can be commonly spotted in open wooded spaces including urban and suburban areas. Chalk-browed mockingbird (Mimus Saturninus) lives on insects, small vertebrates and fruits, making them fall under the omnivore category under the food chain.

For more relatable content, check out these willet facts and canyon wren facts for kids.

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What type of animal is a chalk-browed mockingbird?

The chalk-browed mockingbird is a species of bird of the Mimidae family. It is a type of mockingbird.

What class of animal does a chalk-browed mockingbird belong to?

This type of bird belongs to the Aves class of the Animalia kingdom.

How many chalk-browed mockingbirds are there in the world?

Chalk-browed mockingbirds have been recorded as stable by the IUCN,  although their population has not been thoroughly surveyed to give an exact number.

Where does a chalk-browed mockingbird live?

The feathered species, Mimus Saturninus is known to inhabit the countries along the eastern coast of South America. These regions include countries like Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay and Surinam.

What is a chalk-browed mockingbird’s habitat?

The chalk-browed mockingbird can be easily found in open wooded areas including urban and suburban gardens.

Who do chalk-browed mockingbirds live with?

The chalk-browed mockingbird, belonging to the family of Mimidae, lives in pairs or small groups a common trait that is seen in tropical birds. These birds also show traits of cooperative breeding and communal nesting.

How long does a chalk-browed mockingbird live?

While there is no exact data available on the lifespan of these birds, they tend to have a generation length of 5.3 years.

How do they reproduce?

The chalk-browed mockingbird of the family Mimidae engages in cooperative breeding and communal nesting. Their breeding season starts from September to January, many birds accompany monogamous pairs to assist with territorial defence, nest guarding, and feeding the young. The nest of the chalk-browed mockingbird is parasitized by the shiny cowbirds, causing the feathered tropical bird to incubate the eggs laid by shiny cowbirds along with theirs. The Mimus saturninus has a litter capacity of 3-4 eggs at a time.

What is their conservation status?

According to the IUCN, this tropical bird has a stable status and is easily spotted in its range. The Mimus Saturninus is listed as a least concerned species.

What do chalk-browed mockingbirds look like?

A chalk-browed mockingbird is a very commonly spotted bird in the Tropical regions of South America. They have brownish-gray feathers with a white-tipped tail which gives them a pleasing and adorable look.

The chalk-browed mockingbird is brownish-gray in color with a white-tipped tail that makes them look very pleasing. The pleasing appearance of this bird makes it extremely cute. The small size of these birds also adds to the cuteness quotient enabling them to be a popular choice among avid bird enthusiasts. Some other types of birds that are cute are flycatchers and vermillion flycatcher.

How do they communicate?

Chalk-browed mockingbird communicates flock through songs. Birds have the ability to mimic certain types of sounds in the form of songs, they can mimic dogs barking, pianos, sirens, and even squeaky sounds of gates. Their songs play a major role during the mating seasons.

How big is a chalk-browed mockingbird?

A chalk-browed mockingbird is about 9.25-10.25 in (23·5–26 cm) tall, it is not much big in size compared to other tropical birds.

How fast can a chalk-browed mockingbird fly?

There is no accurate speed limit at which a chalk-browed mockingbird flies, however, like any other species it flies high and fast if faces any threat.

How much does a chalk-browed mockingbird weigh?

A chalk-browed mockingbird, belonging to the Miomidae family, has a small stature and is not that big or tall in size making them look lighter compared to birds like ostrich or eagle. The average weight of a Chalk-Browed Mocking bird is 0.16 Ib (0.073 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

There is no male-female name listed for this species.

What would you call a baby chalk-browed mockingbird?

A baby of a chalk-browed mockingbird is called a hatchling, and they remain in the nest and feeds on the food brought to them by their parents or flock birds. They remain under constant supervision until they learn to fly and search for their own food.

What do they eat?

A chalk-browed mockingbird preys on insects and spiders, worms. They also live on fruit, seeds, and berries making them fall under the omnivore category of the food chain.

Are they predators?

These brownish-gray feathery species prey on insects and worms, occasionally they feed on eggs and other nestlings. However, these birds are very docile in nature and cannot be termed as life-threatening predators.

Would they make a good pet?

The Mimus saturnius do not make good pets as they cannot adjust well to the household environment, they thrive well in the wilderness. It is even illegal to pet these birds.

Did you know...

A chalk-browed mockingbird has a very interesting breeding mechanism, the species has a litter size of 3-4 eggs, they are laid in a very loosely constructed nest and the incubation period runs till 12-15 days. After the eggs hatch, the younglings are confined to the nest for another 12-15 days under the constant supervision and nurture of the parents and caregivers. Juveniles then remain in their parents' territory through the non-breeding seasons as helpers over subsequent breeding seasons.

How smart are chalk-browed mockingbirds?

The species is not smart as they end up taking care of the shiny cowbird eggs and incubate them as their own as the shiny cowbirds lay their eggs in a Mimus saturnius's nest.

How high can they fly?

The brown feathered bird flies high as they are light weighted and smaller in stature.  

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these tricolored heron facts and grey heron facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable chalk-browed mockingbird coloring pages.