The Mockingbird - Nature's Greatest Mimic

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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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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. 

Here a mockingbird is attacking a cat. The cat is unimpressed.

Bird attacks Cat

This is a video of my cat, Ceili, being dive-bombed over and over again by a very aggressive mockingbird. I have set it to music. I don't know which animal is crazier.. the bird or the cat. The cat has never attacked the bird.. the cat seems to love the bird's attention. This has been going on for three springs in a row now. I apologize for the quality of the video. Much of it had to be shot through a window because the bird would only go after the cat if I was not visible.

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Igo GREEN Tip of the Day 

The Song of the Mockingbird 

How He Earns His Name

The Mockingbird has a rich repertoire of sounds and can imitate other birds, animals, humans and even machines; pretty much whatever is in its environment. He usually repeats a song phrase a few times and then moves on to another phrase. His own song is delightfully varied and lilting.

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.

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Mockingbird Experience Poll 

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Range and Habitat of the Northern Mockingbird 

There Are Probably Mockingbirds In Your Backyard.

If you live somewhere in the vicinity of North America, you have probably seen the Northern Mockingbird. The known range of this bird includes Southern Canada, most of the continental United States, the Bahamas, much of the Caribbean and Mexico about as far south as Oaxaca and Veracruz. It is even thought that the Mockingbird has been a visitor to Great Britain.

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

These books are tops for helping you to identify birds and attract more of them to your 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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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?

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sellingnicestuff says:

Love the canary. Vivid and beautiful colors - and in harmony - much like a symphony! Had many as a child!

manila says:

Mine is kingfisher, pigeon and mynah.

JaguarJulie says:

I love LOTS of different birds and find it difficult to pick just one. However, the mockingbird is predominant in our neighborhood and I do get such enjoyment out of seeing it and listening to it. One used to perch on our neighbor's chimney each evening -- I've not noticed it of late; sure do miss it! Next is the piliated woodpecker -- amazing to say the least.

dc64 says:

I love the Robin, the Owl, and the Falcon. Is it cheating to have three? The Robin reminds me of Christmas, the Owl is a symbol of wisdom, and the Falcon is fierce-looking.

Ener-G says:

I don't know the name of my favorite bird. It makes this cute little 4 note song that I always associate with summer.

Evelyn_Saenz says:

Though I love many birds, my favorite right now is the Purple Gallinule. This bird from the swamps and Everglades displays a rainbow of colors from it's red bill with white dot to it's neon yellow legs. It gingerly walks across the lily pads and it's purple and blue feathers glisten in the sun. I'm sure that the Mockingbird sings about this brilliantly colored Swamphen.

says:

There are so many ... butI would have to go with the Blue Jay. He's big for a songbird and a little mean, but he can hold his own with a cat. I can't knock that

Rich_Girl says:

I like Eagle:)

ArtByLinda says:

The Bird of Paradise, because they are so beautiful and funny to watch!

 
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Blogs for the Birds 

Birdloving Blogs

Panther Island Adventures: Bird fo the Week December 14: Northern ...
Bird fo the Week December 14: Northern Mockingbird. Information to come! Posted by SwampGal at 7:28 PM. 0 comments: Post a Comment. Older Post Home. Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom). Welcome to Panther Island Adventures! ...
Florida Nature Photography
Florida's State Bird - the northern mockingbird.... I've never photographed one of these, as they are so common, I wouldn't have thought of it until this chilly morning. I'm glad I paused long enough to get this shot. ...

A Mockingbird Comes To Dinner 

What Do Mockingbirds Eat?

The Mockingbird is omnivorous. This means he likes to eat many things like insects, fruits, earthworms and even small lizards. He will protect his feeding territory from other birds or animals who compete for the same foods. Mockingbirds will sometimes fly into a neighboring territory to steal food.

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 

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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 

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