Listen to the Mockingbird

The Mockingbird is a smooth gray bird with a band of white along the edges of the tail and across the wings which flashes as it flys. They are couragous defenders of their nests and will swoop and peck at a much larger bird, or a cat or dog and drive them away.  

But we love Mockingbirds for their ever changing song. They imitate the songs of many other birds, even insects and frogs, and rapidly string them all together.  

Mockingirds are common in North America, but not in Britain and Europe. If you have never heard a mockingbird sing you have missed something special.  To hear a recording of a Mockingbird please click [HERE].  Realize that this long string of bird song is from a single Mockingbird.  

It turns out that Mockingbirds like suet as much as Woodpeckers and have been regulars at my feeders.

Mockingbirds

I love the sleek grey mockingbird,
whose wings and tail flash bright
With no set call, he'll improvise
Charlie Parker in grey and white.

He likes to sing all through the night
when other birds are quiet.
All day long he steals their songs
and gives them back at twilight.

(TG)