Why Is That Crazy Mockingbird Singing In The Middle Of The Night?
Have you ever been awakened in the night by a very loud bird with a wildly varied song? Then you have heard the sounds of an unmated male mockingbird. Whether he is voicing frustration, lament or simply joy, no one seems to know, but he certainly has a rich vocabulary for expression.
The common (or Northern) Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is a marvelous songbird and mimic. It has served as inspiration for songs (Listen To The Mockingbird), novels and movies (To Kill A Mockingbird). The Mockingbird is currently the state bird of five states: Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.
In his Birds of America, the ornithologist and painter, John James Audubon, writes an exquisite description of the Northern Mockingbird.
Read it here.
Get Audubon's Classic Book
Audubon's Birds of America: The Audubon Society Baby Elephant Folio
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Audubon's Birds of America: The Royal Octavo Edition
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What You Will Find Here
- Did You Know....?
- A Mockingbird Will Defend Its Territory.
- Igo GREEN Tip of the Day
- The Song of the Mockingbird
- Listen To A Mockingbird Singing
- Mockingbird Experience Poll
- Range and Habitat of the Northern Mockingbird
- Best Bird Debate
- Blogs for the Birds
- A Mockingbird Comes To Dinner
- New Mockingbird Photos
- Wikipedia On The Northern Mockingbird
- News Feed For The Birds
- Birdmarks
- Mockingbird Lover or Not
State Bird: Mockingbird on CafePress
Get Products and Gifts with Your State Bird
Arkansas State Bird Women's Plus Size V-Neck T-Shi
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Florida State Bird White T-Shirt
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Mississippi State Bird Tote Bag
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Tennessee State Bird Large Mug
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Texas State Bird BBQ Apron
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Did You Know....?
Interesting Facts About Mockingbirds
* Only males without mates sing at night.* Mockingbirds are usually monogamous for a breeding season, sometimes for life.
* Mockingbirds are fiercely aggressive in defending their nests and territory, especially during the mating season.
* Female mockingbirds will produce new eggs in another nest while the males take care of the older fledglings, feeding them and teaching them to fly.
* Scientists have found that female mockingbirds are attracted to males that can make the most different sounds.
* Mockingbirds are the state bird of Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas and one of the few birds found in every kind of habitat, from desert to forest to city.
* Mockingbirds are thought to raise and lower their wings in order to scare up a meal of insects, frighten snakes and impress their mates.
A Mockingbird Will Defend Its Territory.
More Mockingbird Stuff on CafePress
T-Shirts, Cards, Prints and Much More...
Igo GREEN Tip of the Day
The Song of the Mockingbird
How He Earns His Name
The males sing profusely during the breeding season to mark their territory. A male mockingbird can have around 150 different songs. These songs may change during his lifetime and increase in number as he gets older. Unmated males will sing all night long. Females sing as well, but are usually quieter.
Listen To A Mockingbird Singing
Northern Mockingbird, singing up a Storm
This Northern Mockingbird was singing up a storm along the Fremont River in southeastern Utah. I can make out wren, scrub-jay, pinyon jay, killdeers, a vireo, and a number of other calls/songs. Kind of neat.
Runtime: 2:13
6159 views
10 Comments:
Mockingbird Experience Poll
Range and Habitat of the Northern Mockingbird
There Are Probably Mockingbirds In Your Backyard.
Though they are found over a wide range, mockingbirds are mostly non-migratory. There is some local migration between breeding and winter territories. This occurs mostly in the northern range and may extend up to 500 miles.
Mockingbirds like to live in parklands, cultivated land or in second growth areas at low elevations. They are commonly found in the suburbs and favor mowed lawns. Although they do not like to live in heavy forests, they can be found at the forest's edge.
Some Terrific Birdwatching Books
Enjoy Birdwatching In Your Own Backyard
Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song
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National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition
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The Backyard Birdsong Guide: Eastern and Central North America (Backyard Birdsong Guides)
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The Audubon Backyard Birdwatcher: Birdfeeders and Bird Gardens
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Best Bird Debate
Mockingbird Or What?
I love the mockingbird because he is flashy and can make so many amazing sounds. What do you think?
What is your favorite bird and why?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand by
JackE532 says:
Blue Jay is my favorite bird. I guess it is because it is one of the first birds that I see in the spring here in Lubbock, Texas.
They are sort of a feisty bird and are somewhat dominant type bird. Since I am a Gemini also and have sort of a short attention span I do not linger long at any one thing.
I really like the lens.
Jack
Posted September 28, 2008
Blogs for the Birds
Birdloving Blogs
- Northern Mockingbird - Bird Photography Weekly #5
- Each song is repeated three times or so before changing to the next song. Males are most vocal in the Spring, and both sexes sing in the Fall. Mockingbirds can also be heard singing at night. Technorati Tags: Northern Mockingbird,Bird ...
- Northern Mockingbird - Bird Photography Weekly #5
- But what they are best known for is their complex songs that include imitations of many other birds. Each song is repeated three times or so before changing to the next song. Males are most vocal in the Spring, and both sexes sing in . ...
A Mockingbird Comes To Dinner
What Do Mockingbirds Eat?
It is his habit to forage for insects on the ground. He will also knock a large flying insect to the ground with his wings and chest, then grab it in his bill. He mainly eats fruit while perched on a branch or shrub. It is common to see the Mockingbird hopping around and flashing his wings. Perhaps he is trying to scare bugs out of their hiding place.
New Mockingbird Photos
The Beautiful Northern Mockingbird
It's not so easy to catch the busy mockingbird with your camera.
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Wikipedia On The Northern Mockingbird
- Northern Mockingbird - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. This species was first described by Linnaeus in his ...
News Feed For The Birds
From A Birdwatcher's Blog
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byBirdmarks
Interesting Sites for Serious Birdwatchers and the Merely Curious.
Mockingbird Lover or Not
Let Me Know What You Think
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roysumit
Well done. A great lens on mockingbirds. I didn't knew so much about them. Five star to you. Posted September 12, 2008 |
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SemperFidelis
Nice work on this one K_Linda! I would love to see some more pics of mockingbirds, as I'm a big fan of pics on lenses. Anyway, you've put together a fine lens. 5* and favorited! Posted August 31, 2008 |
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Joan4
This lens is beautifully done! And I learned something new about mockingbirds! Thank you! Posted August 27, 2008 |
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Evelyn_Saenz
Mockingbirds live all around me here in Florida but I also saw on while living in Boston. I didn't realize that they are active at night. Posted August 16, 2008 |
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kirie
K_Linda, very nicely done! I like your thinking and process I enjoy your site here. I am a birder too. See: http://squidoo.com/bird-watchingtips and my new blog http://birdsight.com Posted August 11, 2008 |
