Throughout the fall and winter mockingbirds live in areas (territories) predicated on the availability of food.  Consequently, how many mockingbirds you will see in your backyard this winter depends greatly on how abundant food is in your neck of the woods.

       Often these territories measure an acre or two in size.  However, as you might expect, if food is scarce, mockingbirds will defend larger areas.

       If you hosted a pair of mockingbirds in your backyard this past summer, this winter they may share the same territory or, yet again, each might stake out its own turf.  Consequently, lone females or males will also claim some territories.

       Last winter a pair of mockingbirds lived in my backyard.  However, in previous years, a single bird claimed my yard.

       For reasons that are not fully understood, each year some mockingbirds don’t establish their own feeding territories.  When this happens, they often try to raid territories claimed by other mockingbirds.  Remarkably when this happens, mockers from adjacent territories will join in the fight to chase away these interlopers.

       I hope that this information will help understand why you have none, one or more mockingbirds living just outside your backdoor this winter.