A brown, grey, blue-grey, or (one species) black bird, often with black spots on the underside, and a long tail. Mockingbirds inhabit trees and dense scrub and feed on insects, fruit, and seeds. They sing well and many are skilled mimics. There are about 17 species in three genera classed as the family Mimidae, but this may not be a monophyletic grouping. They occur only in the New World.