Mimus dorsalis
The Brown-backed Mockingbird (*Mimus dorsalis*) is a distinctive member of the Mimidae family, endemic to the high-altitude Andes of South America. Averaging 23-28 cm (9-11 inches) in length and weighing 50-60 grams, it is characterized by its unique rich brown upperparts, often with a rufous wash on the rump, contrasting sharply with its whitish underparts and streaked flanks. Key field marks include a prominent whitish supercilium above a dark loral and ocular stripe, a relatively long, dar...
This species primarily inhabits arid and semi-arid montane scrub, open woodlands, and thorny brushland within the Andes, typically found at elevations between 1,500 and 4,000 meters.
Their diet is omnivorous, primarily consisting of insects and other invertebrates gleaned from the ground and foliage, supplemented by a significant intake of fruits and berries, particularly during non-breeding periods.
Brown-backed Mockingbirds are diurnal and highly active, often observed foraging on the ground or from low perches. They employ a combination of gleaning for insects from foliage and the ground, as well as occasional aerial hawking for flying prey. During the breeding season, males establish and ...
The Brown-backed Mockingbird is endemic to the southern Central Andes of South America, primarily distributed across Bolivia and northwestern Argentina. In Bolivia, its range extends from the departments of La Paz, Cochabamba, PotosÃ, and Chuquisaca, south through Tarija. Within Argentina, it is ...
Least Concern
- The Brown-backed Mockingbird is one of the few *Mimus* species characterized by a distinct brown, rather than gray, back, making it easily identifiable within its genus. - It thrives in the harsh, high-altitude environments of the Andes, often found above 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). - Like its r...