"This bird's famous song, with its varied repetitions and artful imitations, is heard all day during nesting season (and often all night as well). Very common in towns and cities, especially in southern areas, the Mockingbird often seeks insects on open lawns. When running in the open it may stop every few feet and partly spread its wings, flashing the white wing patches. Mockingbirds are bold in defense of their nests, attacking cats and even humans that venture too close."
Out today! Duet: Our Journey in Song with the Northern Mockingbird by Phillip Hoose is a great look at the history of this amazing bird. Did you know we used to keep them as pets, and they were almost driven to extinction? Now the northern mockingbird is the state bird in five states, and their epic songs can be heard in every US state. Also, I painted the cover. Available through Macmillan Publishing, Amazon and more.
Fledgeling mockingbird being attended by a parent.
These photos are public domain because I took them and I said so.
[ID: Four photos showing a fledgeling mockingbird, a young mockingbird with all its feathers, but is still being cared for by its parents, in a stretch of short grass with taller grass filling the background.
Both mockingbirds are light grey with white bellies, and darker wings, with the parent being larger.
The first photo shows the fledgeling crouching in the grass, pointing to the left, with its body lowered.
The second photo shows the fledgeling with its back to the camera to show the white under its long tail, while the parent stands in front of it, with its mouth open.
The next photo shows the parent motion blurred as they run off to the left, leaving the fledgeling continuing to crouch in place.
The last photo shows the fledgeling looking off to the left where its parent is out of frame, its mouth open as it waits for more food.
End ID.]
Edit. Hey wait. This video might be short enough to put here...
[ID: A video clip of the two birds above, with the fledgeling giving short, high-pitched calls as it begs for food. The only other sounds are the wind and cars driving past. End ID.]
Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), family Accipitridae, being chased away by a Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), family Mimidae, Santa Clara Ranch, TX, USA
Saw this fellow at a local wildlife refuge, not far off was a red winged blackbird that they were well, mocking.
For whatever reason, I thought it was a catbird when I first saw it.