Friday, May 1, 2009

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)

4 comments:

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

What a delightful poem for a very disappointing bird! Sorry about that but I've never seen a mocking bird before and had a totally wrong impression of what they would be like. Why do I see them as colourful? I don't know.
The imagination plays tricks on us.

Meant to add to your last post about the rain teeming down that you could almost think you were in England. Oh to be in England now that April's here (only it's May) and it's pissing it down outside:- I'd feel totally at home in Tulsa.
Apologies for my rudery if I've offended anyone.

Anne

Unknown said... [Reply to comment]

When I posted this I didn't realize that Mockingbirds are not to be found in the UK or Europe. They are common in Oklahoma and are the State Bird of Texas. They sing at night which irritates some people but I love to hear them.

Anonymous said... [Reply to comment]

Now I've not only seen my first mockingbird but also heard it - thanks Bill.

I totally love your blog 'cos I'm learning not only about your home town but also your flora and fauna.
Grateful thanks from a Yorkshire lass.

Anne

Elleona said... [Reply to comment]

Bonjour.

Nous étions ravis d'écouter (plusieurs fois) les imitations du Mockingbird...
Vous avez beaucoup d'oiseaux dans votre jardin mais ils savent que vous êtes un hôtel **** !!!
Bisous.