If you’ve ever been kept up at night thanks to a bird's chip, you can probably thank the mocking bird. Famous for its repetitive and copy cat songs, the mocking bird will sing long into the night.
What does a mocking bird look like?
Unlike many bird species in which the male bird is much more brightly colored, the mocking bird has no physical distinctions between the sexes. Covered mostly in gray feathers, the mocking bird has a short tail and long wings. Although the color of its feathers may be dull, mocking birds have bright yellow eyes and black legs and beak. The mocking bird may come in a small package, usually around eight inches in length, but its song sure can pack a punch.
What does a mocking bird sound like?
No one knows for sure why the mocking bird is such a copy cat, but his vocal imitations sure have made him famous! Not only do mocking birds have songs unique to its species, they also imitate tons of other daily noises. From a honking horn to a person whistling, no sound is safe from the mimic of the mocking bird. The mocking bird will repeat the imitation several times before picking up on a new song. Sounds the mocking bird is known to copy include door bells, barking dogs, frogs croaking and even squeaky doors!
Where do mocking birds live?
Just because the mocking bird is the official state bird for Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Florida, don’t think these are the only places you can find this singing sensation. Mocking birds are pretty easy to please, calling everywhere from the desert to the city home. Beyond the United States, anyone living in Cuba, Mexico, the Antilles, the Galapagos and the Bahamas also have the pleasure of living side by side with the mocking bird. Plus, mocking birds don’t migrate, so chances are if one lives close by, he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
How can I attract the mocking bird into my yard?
Mocking birds don’t usually eat from bird feeders because they enjoy insects like grasshoppers, ants, caterpillars and spiders, but mocking birds also like fruit. To gain the mimicking mocking bird for a neighbor, scatter grapes, raisins, cranberries and other small fruits in your yard. Unlike some birds who call the treetops home, the mocking bird likes to build its nest in dense shrubbery. The more small bushes, trees and vines you have in your yard, the more likely you are to attract the mocking bird.
