Recommended camera settings#
Focal length needed to frame it#
For a subject about 25 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.
| Distance | ⅓ of frame (FF) | ½ of frame (FF) | ⅓ of frame (APS-C) | ⅓ of frame (MFT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 m (16 ft) | 227 mm | 336 mm | 151 mm | 113 mm |
| 10 m (33 ft) | 454 mm | 672 mm | 302 mm | 227 mm |
| 15 m (49 ft) | 680 mm | 1,007 mm | 454 mm | 340 mm |
| 20 m (66 ft) | 907 mm | 1,343 mm | 605 mm | 454 mm |
| 30 m (98 ft) | 1,361 mm | 2,015 mm | 907 mm | 680 mm |
| 50 m (164 ft) | 2,268 mm | 3,358 mm | 1,512 mm | 1,134 mm |
About the Tropical Mockingbird#
The tropical mockingbird (Mimus gilvus) is a resident breeding bird from southern Mexico south to northern Brazil, and in the Lesser Antilles and other Caribbean islands. The birds in Panama and Trinidad may have been introduced. The northern mockingbird (M. polyglottos) is its closest living relative, but the critically endangered Socorro mockingbird (M. graysoni) is also much closer to these two than previously believed .
Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Field-craft tips#
- Singing males claim conspicuous perches.
- Bird-eye AF with continuous focus (AF-C/AI Servo); fill at least a third of the frame.
- Sightings peak in January, February, March, April and December, which is when you'll have the most chances.
Ethics#
- The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
- Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
- Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
- Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.
More Mockingbirds and Thrashers#
Frequently asked questions#
What lens do I need to photograph a Tropical Mockingbird?
At about 25 cm long, a tropical mockingbird fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 454 mm, or at 20 m with 907 mm.
What shutter speed should I use for a Tropical Mockingbird?
1/800 s when it's still; 1/2500–1/3200 s for action.
When is the best time to photograph a Tropical Mockingbird?
Observations in North America peak in January, February, March, April and December. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.
Sources & licences#
- iNaturalist — Observation data CC BY-NC; photo licence as credited
- Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources