in

Love ItLove It WINWIN

The Northern Mockingbird

The Northern Mockingbird is the Tennessee state bird. The scientific name is Mimus polyglottos, translated as “many-tongued mimic.” The name highlights the mockingbird’s ability to mimic not only dozens of other birds’ songs, but also devices such as musical instruments, warning bells, cell phones and car horns. It is amazing to listen to their sounds, just like other birds.

The mockingbird is known to many by its habit of singing thought the evening and night. They can be very annoying at times because of their non-stop loud singing.

The Northern Mockingbird is very territorial and will dive and attack intruders, including homeowners and their pets, and may even attack its own reflection in a window. This has happened on my deck once but thankfully the bird flew away unharmed. Also, mockingbirds used to chase Momma Kitty years ago. But she was faster thank goodness.

I found a nest of eggs in my yard and wasn’t sure what type of eggs they were. Thankfully I quickly identified them as mockingbird eggs. I snapped a few photos and came back inside. They can be very aggressive, especially when they have a nest full of eggs. But I do not blame them for protecting the eggs, most birds do the same.

Nature is amazing and I learn something every single day.

©CarolDM2019

  • Question of

    Have you seen the Mockingbird in your world?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    Would you recognize this photo as a Mockingbird nest?

    • Yes
    • No
  • Question of

    What about these eggs, do you think they belong to the Mockingbird?

    • Yes
    • No

Report

What do you think?

21 Points

Written by Carol DM

27 Comments

  1. You are a treasure trove of knowledge. A beautiful capture of a mocking bird and I would not have considered them aggressive had I not read your post. Awesome share Carol.

    1
    • How kind of you. I have been around these birds my entire life. They are ok when they don’t have nests, however they are very noisy and will attack cats and some people if they get too close.

      1
    • Thanks, this took awhile to get all three. But I finally got it figured out. The mockingbird is amazing. Annoying at times but very smart.

      1