Mockingbirds and Thrashers Mimidae
This family is divided into 10 genera, of which 3 are described below. There are 34 species, of which 1 may almost certainly be extinct: the Cozumel Thrasher Toxostoma guttatum which inhabited Cozumel Island, Mexico. The Socorro Mockingbird Mimus graysoni is critically endangered. The Floreana Mockingbird Nesomimus trifasciatus, San Cristobal Mockingbird Nesomimus melanotis, and White-breasted Thrasher Ramphocinclus brachyurus are all endangered. The Hood Mockingbird Nesomimus macdonaldi and Bendire's Thrasher Toxostoma bendirei are both considered vulnerable. The Black Catbird Melanoptilla glabrirostris is near-threatened. All members of this family are restricted to the New World, with many of them being restricted to islands.

Dumetella

This is the only member of the genus.

The Grey Catbird Dumetella carolinensis is a common, but somewhat secretive species, of dense thickets at the edges of forests, streams, and marshes. They breed in southern Canada, and across much of the United States; except along the Pacific and the desert southwest. They migrate south for the winter to the southeastern United States, south to northern Colombia, and the West Indies. They have a course catlike "mew" call. This bird was photographed at the Pea Island National Wildlife refuge, Outer Banks, North Carolina.




Mimus

There are 10 members of this genus. The Socorro Mockingbird Mimus graysoni is critically endangered.

The Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus is a common inhabitant of open areas from southern Mexico, south to northern Brazil. They are also found on some Caribbean Islands. This individual was photographed in the grounds of the world famous Asa Wright Nature Center, Trinidad.






Toxostoma

There are 10 species within this genus.

The Crissal Thrasher Toxostoma crissale is a secretive bird that is found in dense lowland mesquite and chaparral covered mountains of the southwestern United States, south to central Mexico. They are usually located by their sweet melodious song during late winter. They also have a distinct "toy, toy, toy" call which can be heard throughout most of the year. Photographed at Whitetail Canyon, Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona.






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