My favorite bird of Virginia. Not only does he provide constant entertainment with his medley of songs, but the mockingbird always looks so dapper and debonair. I really wanted to show you how he opens his wings to display the white patches across the feathers, but unfortunately I couldn't coordinate my movements with his.
Here are some fun facts about the Northern Mockingbird you might find interesting:
The Northern Mockingbird frequently gives a "wing flash" display, where it half or fully opens its wings in jerky intermediate steps, showing off the big white patches. No one knows why it does this behavior, but some have suggested that it startles insects into revealing themselves. However, it does not appear to flush insects, and other mockingbird species that do not have white wing patches use the display, casting doubt on this idea.
The Northern Mockingbird is a loud and persistent singer. It sings all through the day, and often into the night. Most nocturnal singers are unmated males, which sing more than mated males during the day too. Nighttime singing is more common during the full moon. In well-lit areas around people, even mated males may sing at night.
A Northern Mockingbird continues to add new sounds to its song repertoire throughout its life.
The Northern Mockingbird typically sings throughout most of the year, from February through August, and again from September to early November. A male may have two distinct repertoires of songs: one for spring and another for fall. One study found only a one percent overlap in song types used in spring and fall.
The female Northern Mockingbird sings too, although usually more quietly than the male does. She rarely sings in the summer, usually only when the male is away from the territory. She sings more in the fall, perhaps to establish a winter territory.
And to add to your knowledge:
Of all North American birds, the Mockingbird is by far, the most famed for its vocal imitations. Besides its own rapturous song, the mockingbird's repertoire has been known to include over 40 different sounds including the barking of a dog. Mockingbirds can be fiercely territorial during the mating season as they defend their nests and territories. Watching their behavior can be quite thrilling. The Mockingbird is a very important visitor to your backyard. Not only is it's song enchanting, but they will help to eat many of your nuisance garden insects!
Birds Will Flex Their Wings As A Form Of Exercise.
Great capture of one of my favorite birds -- I've seen several of them gang up and chase hawks and crows away. They fly above the larger birds and dive bomb them. A cat I once had was afraid to go near the tree where the mockingbirds nested -- they dive bombed him and and pecked the top of his head.
Instant fav of my favorite bird!! For some reason all our neighborhood regulars are in hiding at this time....hopefully they are just busy nesting and protecting their babies. I've followed them now for 14 years. They live long, but? I have a plethora of mockingbird collections: sheet music, figurines, post cards, stamps, plates, books, etc. I've photographed some individual items for 365 but I think one day I need to do a collage. :-) I enjoyed your narrative and it's all true!
