Mocking birds are famous for their chirping, singing and, well, mocking. Here’s everything you need to know about the mocking bird song.
What’s so special about the mocking bird song?
Mocking birds didn’t get their name for nothing; the birds are famous for their copy cat songs. When mocking birds sing, they mock other noises and bird calls in their vicinity. The mocking bird song is known to mimic hundreds of other bird calls as well as human noises, other animal noises and even mechanical sounds. Sounds the mocking bird may sing as their own include doors squeaking, frogs croaking, people whistling, door bells ringing, and even dogs barking. Usually mocking birds will repeat the sound numerous times before moving on to mimic the next noise.
Where can I hear the mocking bird song?
These birds are so famous that Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Florida have all chosen the mocking bird for their state bird. But don’t think you have to be in one of these states to hear the mocking bird song. Mocking birds live all over the United States and even in Cuba, Mexico, the Antilles, the Galapagos and the Bahamas. And chances are, if you have a mocking bird living close to you, it won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Mocking birds don’t migrate, so you’ll be hearing their songs all year round. Mocking birds will sing throughout the day, but they may keep you up all night too. Especially if there is a nearby street lamp or the moon is brightly shinning, the mocking bird may continue its mocking until the sun comes up.
How can I attract the mocking bird to my yard?
If you want to enjoy the mocking bird song, first you have to attract the birds into your yard. Mocking birds feed on insects like grasshoppers, ants, caterpillars, and spiders but also enjoy fruit. To attract the birds you can scatter grapes, raisins, cranberries and other small fruit in your yard. Also having some type of water source, like a bird bath, can help attract these singing birds.
Another sure fire way to attract mocking birds is to ensure you have the type of dense shrubbery where they like to build their nests. Unlike many birds that live high in the treetops, mocking birds like to build their nests close to the ground in small trees, bushes and vines. Mocking birds are very territorial, so once they mark your yard as theirs, the mocking bird song may be the only singing you’ll hear.
