They are cute when fluffed up
The war of spring has started. It’s the Northern Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) vs. the cardinals, bluebirds and ME! While no other bird can match their beautiful song repertoire, the ugly squawk and dive at my precious bluebirds is really rubbing me the wrong way. Oh, and the other day when they took a shot at my head. The bullies of the bird world.
Classic pose…very sleek looking
The mockingbird has an “amazing ability to mimic other bird songs and sounds, its scientific name polyglottos – “many tongued” – is very apt.“ You might even think there are several species of birds visiting only to discover just one bird with a language ability that would make him tops at the Birdy United Nations. They sing all day and sometimes at night. As they age their vocabulary can increase. During the eighteen-hundreds their numbers were in jeopardy as they were a commodity bought and sold. People caged them as house pets to enjoy their melody.
They strive for greatness
According to whatbird.com:
A group of mockingbirds has many collective nouns, including an “echo”, “exactness”, “plagiary”, and a “ridicule” of mockingbirds.
And, they have been known to “ridicule” ME!
They nest in oaks as well as other shrubby plants
Mockingbirds aggressively defend “their” territory. Well, I’ve got news for them, this is MY territory and I’ll not have them starting nests where they will chase away the bluebirds. Bluebirds nest only in boxes or cavities whereas mockingbirds nest just about anywhere shrubby that will hold their assortment of twigs, dryer lint and cigarette butts.
They use an odd assortment of nesting materials
The males start the nest building in several areas, then the females choose which nest they like and put on the finishing touches. Baccharis halimifolia, Wax Myrtle, oak and holly are some of the shrubbery they have chosen to build at my place. And build they do. I’ve had numerous successful broods of Mockingbirds and also some tragedies…4 eggs one day…none the next.
Both dad and mom help build the nest in shrubs such as this groundsel
They like an open lawn (I think for a clear shot at me), shrubs to hide in and tall trees to perch for a “bird’s eye view”.
Mom sticks with the nest even when hungry
As with most birds, the mockingbird’s primary diet during nesting season and summer consists of insects. They aren’t fussy, eating beetles, earthworms, moths, butterflies, ants, bees, wasps, and grasshoppers. Apparently they also will eat small lizards to round out their menu. They are big fruit eaters come fall and winter.
They lay blue speckled eggs, usually 4
Some of their favorite eats in my yard consist of native plants: dahoon berries, beautyberry, winged sumac drupes, grapes, blackberries and gallberries. Other choices would include mulberries and hawthorns.
Four babies all snug and hungry
So, while not my favorite bird, I listen to the songs of the Mockingbirds and think that maybe they aren’t so bad. They certainly can bring a sound of joy to nature like no other creature.
Adorable and wobbly when newly fledged
© 2013, Loret T. Setters. All rights reserved. This article is the property of BeautifulWildlifeGarden.com If you are reading this at another site, please report that to us
About Loret T. Setters
Enjoyed your article on mockers. They are thick in my yard but I have bluebirds too, so they have worked it out. Your photo of the one sitting behind the hawk reminded me of my most favorite bird picture in the world. It was in Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, years ago. It is a mockingbird, sitting on the shoulder area of a mature red tailed hawk. They are just sitting there. Caption reads, “I am the state bird of Texas and I will sit any where I want.”
That’s a mocker for ya!
Thanks Lisa!
I’ve seen my mockers attack the hawks who just look the other way, but to have one land on the shoulder of a hawk? WOW, that’s something! Thanks for sharing this tidbit. Brought a smile to my face. p.s. also the state bird of Florida (and I think some other states). They really do have the upper hand.
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You nailed it. They can irritate the ‘heck’ out of me and at the same time amuse me. And I love to hear them sing, though that sometimes amuses me, too. It seems they know the first phrase or two (only) of a great many songs, and sing them in rapid succession. And your pics are awesome, thanks.
Thanks Bill! I’m glad that I’m not the only one with a love/hate relationship with this birdy. Very funny….”they only know the first phrase …of the song”. That truly sums it up. Thanks for stopping by!
Loret recently posted..Freshwater seafood?
I have to watch the house sparrows, tree swallows and wrens as they all bully my beloved bluebirds…the wrens are small but the biggest bully of all. Fascinating as I have never had mockingbirds.
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I do love them – and they love to have their picture taken. Unlike some jays that I know …. Thanks for sharing your pictures and stories.
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I used to hate grackles but now I appreciate them and even want to paint them in watercolor! I love Mockingbirds. I would be happy to attract one to my garden. They can bully the house sparrows all they want. Then maybe I would have a chance of seeing a bluebird. Interestingly I heard about birds using cigarette butts in their nests … apparently nicotine is a natural disease fighter and the filters repel moisture/mildew! Birds are smart.
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Ha, ha..a ridicule of Mockingbirds.. Until reading your blog I had no idea they were such cranky birds..they never come to my yard, so I have not had a chance to observe this behavior..The picture with the hawk is priceless..But, Loret as a wildlife gardener shouldn’t you be letting the Mockers and Bluebirds work it out for themselves
Funny, we just watched an episode of “The Big Bang Theory,” and Sheldon was coming unglued because of a Mockingbird outside his office window was singing. (I lived in Calgary, AB for 2 years and still mentally confuse these guys with Magpies.)
Thank you for all the green photos and a life filled article: all this talk of spring and your birds returning reminds me that it’s coming this way too. Hooray!
I have not heard any for a long time, not even the one(s) that I have been seeing recently.
In Feb 2011, a singer remained quiet when it noticed me near.
I whistled a long sequence of two alternating notes (simplicity intentional).
Immediate response, in each of three exchanges, was its complex song.
Perhaps telling me, “I don’t do boring”.
lol 5char! Again with the ridicule….confirmation of the appropriate name for their flock. Thanks for stopping by!
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