Read About Texas State Bird

Texas State Bird is the Mocking Bird which is also the state bird of four other American states. Here's everything you need to know about them.

Texas State Bird -- Facts

1. Breed:

   The Texas state bird is the Mocking Bird, which is biologically called Turdus polyglottus.

2. Size:

   Mocking birds are not very big; the largest ones would be only 10 inches from the tip of the beak to the tip of their tail.

3. Life Span:

   Texas state birds can live to an age up to 8 to 10 years.

4. Varieties:

   Mocking birds belong to the family Mimidae, which has seventeen varieties of mocking birds in all.

5. Origins:

   They originated in Mexico as a gradual evolutionary process from the late reptiles.

6. Physical Traits:

   Mocking birds in Texas have gray coats with a white underbelly. They have pointed sharp wings which are also dark gray in color, as well as their tail feathers. Their beaks are short but sharp.

7. Temperament:

   Mocking birds are ill tempered, jealous birds. They do not like any kind of interference in their food or habitat. They are very aggressive with other birds and pets.

8. Trainability:

   Mocking birds have a superior capability of picking out voices and noises. They can imitate sounds to make their own songs. Mocking birds of Texas can be trained to put almost any sound into tune.

Texas State Bird -- Care

1. Habitat:

   Mocking birds in Texas like to like among the woods that abound here. They prefer living in close ranges to human settlements as they get their provisions of food from them.

2. Food:

   Mocking birds are not finicky about their diet. They like to eat fruits, berries and nuts; but can very well eat insects like ants, wasps, spiders and beetles. They will also eat lizards and small snakes.

3. Compatibility:

   Mocking birds are dangerous to be kept with other birds. In most probability they will get into a fight over space or food.

Texas State Bird -- Concerns

1. Benefits:

   Mocking birds in Texas have been used by farmers over the ages to drive away pests such as ants, wasps, grasshoppers, beetles and even other birds from their farms. They make good garden companions due to their constant singing.

2. Liabilities:

   The problems with mocking birds arise on account of space. They demand full attention and the whole share of food. They can be dangerous to cats and children who come in contact with their nests.

3. Health Issues:

   Texas state birds are vulnerable to bacterial infection from Escherichia coli and salmonella. They can contract lyme disease.

4. Specific Care Needs:

   You will have to keep adequate food in the feeder in order to attract mocking birds and to ensure there is no fight over the shares of food.

5. Special Household Needs:

   Texan state laws prohibit the mocking bird from being put into captivity. Hence, they cannot be kept within homes.

Texas State Bird -- How to Choose

1. What to Look for:

   Mocking birds in Texas should be filled with merry twitter. They have a very perky appearance and should be always in flight and song.

2. Supplies:

   You must provide mocking birds with large amounts of their favorite food in their feeders along with a good supply of water in the fountain. Since they are susceptible to infections, hygiene is a must.

3. Expense:

   Texan mocking birds are not allowed to be captured and sold by state laws.