Read About Florida State Birds

Florida State Birds, or the mocking bird, is highly popular for its melodious and innovative bird calls. Here's everything you need to know about them.

Florida State Bird -- Facts

1. Breed:

   The Florida state bird is the Turdus Polyglottus, which belongs to the order Passeriformes.

2. Size:

   Mocking birds can reach a height of up to 10 inches in males, Females are slightly smaller.

3. Life Span:

   Florida state birds can live up an age of 7 to 8 years.

4. Varieties:

   There are about 17 species of Mocking birds, but only the species Turdus polyglottus is considered the true state bird of Florida.

5. Origins:

   This bird is native to Florida and has originated in the American continent.

6. Physical Traits:

   Mocking birds are small birds with a sharp pointed beak and erect narrow and sharp tail feathers. The head is rounded without crest, and the length of the tail is almost as much as that of the abdomen.

7. Temperament:

   Mocking birds are angry little birds, and they are very fierce if their nests are disturbed. They are very apprehensive of humans and may strike in defense.

8. Trainability:

   Mocking birds have inherent talents to mimic sounds. They can be trained to sing; their song will be an amalgamation of original and borrowed tunes.

Florida State Bird -- Care

1. Habitat:

   Florida State birds thrive where there are plenty of berry bushes. They live close to humans, but at the same time they do not like to be owned by them.

2. Food:

   The major portion of food of the Florida mocking bird is fruits and nuts. On occasion they will also eat insects, worms, lizards and even meat scraps.

3. Compatibility:

   They do not get along with other birds at all, and drive them away if gathered on their tree branch or at the feeder.

Florida State Bird -- Concerns

1. Benefits:

   The mocking birds are a great help in farms, where they can feed on pests like ants, wasps, beetles, ladybugs, grasshoppers and others. Around the feeders, they become a merry source of warbling notes.

2. Liabilities:

   Mocking birds will make other pets ill at ease. They are dangerous to cats who may climb up to their nests.

3. Health Issues:

   Florida mocking birds are vulnerable to bacterial infections and the deadly lyme disease.

4. Specific Care Needs:

   You will not need to take care of the mocking bird itself, but take precaution with other pets that they do not get in a scuffle with them. Mocking birds can be sometimes dangerous to children gathered around feeders.

5. Special Household Needs:

   Since mocking birds are not allowed by the state of Florida to be confined within the house, there are no household needs.

Florida State Bird -- How to Choose

1. What to Look for:

   Mocking birds should be healthy, which is indicated by their merry twitter. They must feed incessantly.

2. Supplies:

   These birds want a continuous supply of food in their feeder which will include fruits, nuts, worms and even some meat scraps. It will be ideal to grow some berry bushes in the garden to attract them.

3. Expense:

   Mocking birds are not allowed to be sold in the state of Florida.