Bird Guide

Black Catbird vs Patagonian Mockingbird

Black Catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris)

Black Catbird

Melanoptila glabrirostris

Small35 gWoodland

At 19–20.5 cm (7.5–8.1 in) in length and 31.6–42 g (1.11–1.48 oz) in mass, the black catbird is the smallest of the mimids. It has short, rounded wings and a relatively long tail. The sexes are similar in appearance, though the male tends to be heavier. The plumage is glossy black with a purplish sheen overall, though the rectrices and primary and secondary coverts have a greenish sheen and the remiges are a duller blackish-brown color showing reduced sheen. The female is less glossy than the male, and juveniles are brownish-gray with mottling below. The legs are black. Voice: Unlike many of its fellow mimids, the black catbird is not known to imitate any other species. Its song consists of repeated phrases of notes ranging from harsh and scratchy to warbled and flute-like, often interspersed with metallic clicking buzzes. It often sings from exposed perches.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Alexis Williams · CC BY 4.0
Patagonian Mockingbird (Mimus patagonicus)

Patagonian Mockingbird

Mimus patagonicus

Small58 gShrubland

The Patagonian mockingbird is 22 to 25 cm (8.7 to 9.8 in) long. Males weigh 44.4 to 61.8 g (1.57 to 2.18 oz) and females 43.8 to 65.4 g (1.54 to 2.31 oz). Adults have a brown crown, a whitish supercilium, and a blackish line through the eye. Their upperparts are plain grayish brown that is paler on the rump. The wings are blackish and show two thin pale bars when folded. Their tail is blackish except for the white outer edge of the outermost feathers and white tips on the others. They are buffy gray below that is paler on the throat and belly. Voice: The Patagonian mockingbird sings continuously for long periods from an open perch or from within vegetation, "a warbling series of varied notes and phrases". It mimics other species.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: (c) Philipp Pavelka, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Philipp Pavelka · cc-by

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black Catbird and Patagonian Mockingbird.