Mocking BIRD has moved in

The squirrel, now named Rocky is sharing our home with two new kids!
Two outstanding mockingbird have moved into the bunker in Rockford and they are having a great time on the roof. They fly up about 8 feet and then right back down as they sing their brains out. So far it is just great having them, but if it gets old I think I can throw the neighborhood cat up to the level they are on!



Northern MockingbirdAbout the photographs range mapPlay sound from this species
Menu
Cool Facts
Description
Similar Species
Sound
Range
Habitat
Food
Behavior
Reproduction
Conservation Status
Other Names
The "American nightingale," the Northern Mockingbird is known for its long, complex songs that include imitations of many other birds. It is a common bird of hedgerows and suburbs, and has been slowly expanding its range northward.

Cool Facts


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.


Description