More About Mockingbirds
By Mike • August 21, 2009 • 70 commentsThe single most popular post I’ve ever written is about mockingbirds. Every day, hundreds of people stop by to learn about mockingbirds, share their stories, and ask questions. Consequently, this post has racked up 244 comments (as of August 21, 2009) and is still going strong. I highly recommend that anyone interested in Northen Mockingbirds peruse the entire comment thread for some really interesting and amusing anecdotes. However, if you have a specific question about Northern Mockingbirds, here is a summary of our most frequently asked questions:
Northern Mockingbird by Corey Finger
First and foremost, why is this mockingbird singing all night long and When will it go away?
If your sleep is frequently interrupted by the dissonant triplets of a mockingbird, chances are you’re bedeviled by a bachelor bird. Unless you know any mockingbird matchmakers, that young buck is going to be moaning after midnight for weeks to come. Eventually, he’ll come to terms with his lack of companionship but until that time, he’ll be complaining… loudly.
How can I get rid of it?
Mockingbirds, like all wild, native American birds, are protected by the Migratory Bird Act. You may want to throw a boot at the bird like they do in the old cartoons, but alas, you cannot!
One reader shared the following advice:
To all of you that are having a problem with aggresive and loud mockingbirds, try an water gun! It works great. We have 3 mockingbirds in our yard who constantly used to fuss loudly at us on our patio and swoop down at our cats as they walked around. But we use a water gun that shoots about 30 feet, and now, all we have to do is pick it up and they fly away. It’s great! They are smart and learn quick.
Another took this strategy to the next level:
…on the next night, I squirted the tree with a water hose. I soaked it pretty good. I haven’t heard him since. Now, I don’t know if a: he was afraid of water b: he didn’t care to sit on a soggy tree branch or, more likely and my favorite, c: he went to see his favorite intended and showed up dripping wet whereupon she took great pity and invited him to come inside and “get out of those wet feathers.”
If you’re not crazy about hosing down your mockingbird, consider these brilliant suggestions employing audio:
A more humane method for ridding your yard of Mockingbirds? While spending time at my daughter’s home in Florida, we had our first nocturnal mockingbird experience. We enjoyed his first few hours of constant singing, but soon became weary from it. That is when my daughter placed her computer speakers in an open window, found a screeching Blue Jay sound file on the internet, and cranked up the volume. No more Mockingbird!
I downloaded and made a CD from the internet of a thunderstorm. I did notice this pesky mockingbird would not let another peep out after thunder. The first night it did run it away. The second night, it sang a couple of songs. The next 2 times it paid no attention to it at all. No telling what the neighbors thought but as I was wearing down from lack of sleep it didn’t matter. But now I have heard nothing from this bird in about 3 nights. Either this tactic worked or he did find a mate. Nevertheless, I am sleeping much better.
This next clever one is from a wildlife rehabilitator:
Download a music file of a northern mockingbird singing, play it during the day,and your male mocking bird will move to another place too find his girl.They don’t like competition so one will move on if he hears the singing.
Some sources have recommended using pepper to dissuade mockingbirds. This will NOT work. Birds do not have capascin receptors so they can’t feel the heat of the peppers.
What if I can’t get rid of a singing mockingbird?
Here are some inspired reader suggestions:
Sponge earplugs work GREAT on those nights where the songs don’t seranade you to sleep
Get a Sleep Mate sound machine. I’ve had one for over a year and it’s fantastic, not just for birds, but snoring, loud neighbors, etc.
Use a white-noise maker. You can adjust the volume. It’s a much more effective solution than trying to silence the mockingbird.
I have had some luck by reducing my negative reactions and increasing positive thoughts. I repeat to myself – “The chirping is sleeping music and I am falling asleep”. I am trying to use Ekert Tolle’s “being in the now” philosophy.
It’s June and I’m still hearing mockingbirds in the middle of the night. Why?!?
Most mockingbirds do have at least one clutch in the springtime and they mature before the winter arrives. Mockingbirds may have two clutches if the first clutch is born early enough. This is why the scorned bachelor still has hope on a hot summer night.
Why are mockingbirds are attacking my cats, dogs, spouse etc.?
Mockingbirds are very territorial. In addition, like certain other birds like grackles and blackbirds, they can be fairly aggressive in protecting their nests. When they feel their progeny are threatened, they won’t hesitate to divebomb bigger animals, though they rarely strike. This behavior will persist while the chicks are vulnerable.
Interestingly, some mockingbirds will take over a backyard feeder and harass other birds. This may be triggered by a seasonal shortage of food, in which case it may persist through winter and subside come spring.
Does the mockingbird have its own song?
The song of the mockingbird is actually a medley of the calls of many other birds. Each imitation is repeated two or three times before another song is initiated. A given bird may have 30, 40 or even 200 songs in its repertoire, including other bird songs, insect and amphibian sounds, and even the occasional mechanical noise. This remarkable mimicry explains why the Northern Mockingbird is known scientifically as Mimus polyglottos, which comes from the Greek “mimus” to mimic, and “ployglottos” for many-tongued.
How can I distinguish male and female mockingbirds?
There is no obvious way to distinguish between male and female Northern Mockingbirds. Males are much more vocal, especially in spring, but the two genders share similar plumage.
Do mockingbird chicks have a tendency to fall out of their nests any more or less than the average bird?
As far as I know, mockingbirds do not have a tendency to leap from their nest any greater than most other songbirds, but like most songbirds, suffer a high mortality rate.
What if I find an orphaned chick?
Please contact a licensed rehabilitation center for songbirds in your area ASAP. Don’t attempt to raise a baby bird.
I’m going to attempt to raise a baby mockingbird anyway. What should I feed it?
Didn’t I say don’t try to raise the bird? Here are some foods our readers have offered their baby mockingbirds: meal worms, diced apple, Fancy Feast white chicken and egg souffle with garden greens, wheat germ, smushed apple, baby bird formula, raisins, holly berries, honeydew, grapes, cherries, blueberries
Are mockingbirds endangered?
Some species of mockingbird such as the rare Galapagos Island birds are endangered. The more well-known birds like the Northern Mockingbird are thriving.
How long until the babies fledge?
Mockingbirds fledge or leave the nest within 12 days of being born.
What’s their average lifespan?
Northern Mockingbirds live about 8-9 years in the wild.
Why are mockingbirds so cool?
If you read the comments thread on our original mockingbird post, you’ll find abundant evidence of the intelligence, fluency, and sometimes even wicked humor of these birds. Here’s my favorite story:
I’ve noticed out here in AZ that mockingbirds don’t take no jive from anyone, even cats. I had an outdoor cat at my old house and there was a pair of mockingbirds that nested in the tree out front (I think it was the same pair year after year, not sure) but they did not take kindly to him being around, they would dive bomb him daily especially during the spring and early summer. I came home one day and there was the poor cat huddled in a ball at the front door with a mockingbird on the left and one on the right each taking turns pecking at him and tearing hair out. My cat must have really ticked them off.
They also would make fun of my niece as she put it. My niece was only 5 or so and loved playing outside and she would always gt hurt and come in crying, and her crying is one of the most annoying loud sounds EVER. Well the mockingbirds started repeating the noise and it seemed that they associated it with her being outside. She started coming in crying saying “The bird is making fun of me”. We’d go outside and as soon as my niece was out there they would start making the same sound she did when she cried. It was one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard.
If you have more information about mockingbirds you’d like to share, please do so in the comments section!
Tags: mockingbirds
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Here in California the Mockingbirds are the ones that pollinate our guava trees. The red and white guava (Feijoa sellowiana) flowers have sweet, fleshy petals. The Mockingbirds (and the Hooded Orioles, too) grab these petals, yank them off and eat them, and in the process, pollinate the flowers (which are not visited by honeybees or other pollinators).
I have one guava tree the Mockingbirds are very territorial about, and it, of course, has the most fruit. Fruit by the way, is green on the outside, white inside, and tastes great!
Tom Ogren
[...] on November 13th, 2009 If To Kill a Mockingbird has made you curious about real mockingbirds, have a look at this page about them. It has enough information, I think, for most of you, with links for those who want to [...]
Is there any type of house that mockingbirds live in? I am a nurse’s aide and my client has a mockingbird that has taken over the yard. He knows when I throw bread out for him because he’s there waiting for it to hit the ground! LOL His favorite is cornbread. But we wanted to know if there is any type of house we could build for him/her? He is a real treat to watch. Thank you for your help.
Nice, Brenda. As far as I know, mockingbirds won’t live in birdhouses. Sounds to me like this bird is pretty comfortable already!
I am having some landscaping done and a large tree in my yard has to go. Each year that tree is home to a/the Mockingbird and I wonder what I can do to accommodate the birds. If there is a nest with eggs can I move it to another location in another tree? Can I time the tree removal to the 12 day period when they nest?
I love the Mockingbirds and their constant singing. Is it possible that the same birds return my tree?
He has now become our “guard” bird!!! LOL Mr. Mockingbird loves cornbread so we set a dish out on the table under a covered back porch and he comes by quite a few times a day to eat. If, God forbid, another bird comes by to “his” dish, it’s “look out!” LOL Mr. Mockingbird is running them off. He is funny to watch. Can’t wait for warmer weather. We are hoping he will eat out of our hand. He has tolerated me coming out the back door and he watches (from a tree nearby) me put his cornbread in the dish.
I have had a Northern Mockingbird coming to visit up close for over a month now. I started putting wheat bread out for the birds til I got my feeder up, and here one came. Every day. He just looks at the seed….he loves the bread ! So now, if I go outside…he comes right up to my feet…within about a foot. Last week, another one started coming along. They seem to be together more and more, so I am assuming its a mate. Totally non-agressive towards me. I am really enjoying this interaction ! I have also gotten some great pictures since they come so close to me.
I just watched three mockingbirds chase off a crow that appeared to be trying to land on our rose arbor. I have not noticed the mockingbirds around the arbor before today. If they are building a nest or have already done so, how long will it be before the babies hatch and vacate the nest? I would not want to disturb them; but, was going to deadhead my roses this weekend. Will it hurt to deadhead roses without disturbing the nest. Will I come out without being pecked?
Thank you.
Patricia, the mockingbirds are probably more wary of crows than they are of you, but I’d wear a hat anyway!
My husband is bringing home his hardhat!
I am excited…we are going to have babies! I am amazed the crow even saw the nest as it is nestled down deep among the rose canes with loads of thorns…
Now “our” mockingbird has taken over!! I read that they like raisins so bought a box and we put a few out in “his dish” everyday. Since the weather is getting warmer, we have seen 2 other mockingbirds coming around. When they even dare to go near his dish to get a raisin, he is right on them chasing them away. This bird is such a pleasure to watch. It seems he made himself right at home and will be here for a long time to come!
I am sad to say that “our” Mockingbird couple seem to have deserted their nest after the incident with the crow. I have not seen them in 3 days. I went up the ladder today and found a beautiful, complete, empty nest. I am amazed the crow could see it as it was built deep down under the rose canes.
My husband said they will build a few nests and then pick the one that is the “safest”. Is that true? If so, I guess the crow made them decide it was better not to have babies in the arbor nest.
Patricia,
Crows are known as generalists in terms of feeding. It is a more likely scenario that the crow ate the eggs and the Mockingbirds abandoned the nest.
Hate to rain on the parade lol.
Zach,
I hate to think that the crow ate the eggs; although, it is certainly possible. I do know when I was watching him try to get to the nest, he was unsuccessful as the Mockingbirds were all over him. Later, when they were all gone; I checked the nest, and it was empty. Do you think he would have continued to try to get to an empty nest? At any rate, the parents did not come back, and we have a perfect little nest buried under the roses on our arbor.
We discovered a Mocking Bird nest in a bush right outside of our kitchen window about 3 weeks ago.
Shortly after, we noticed the nest and 4 new chicks had appeared. Both male & female faithfully fed chicks 24/7 for what seem like just a few short days while in the nest.
Now the chicks are out of their nests and resting on branches and stiil one of the parent birds feeds them continously.
Do these birds mate for life? Could this be the Male or Female that continues to feed them?
We had very bad weather overnight and we only see 2 young birds now, but the parent seems never weary to care for them.
The bushes were once filled with all sorts of beautiful birds during the day, but since the Mocking Birds moved in they have all disapeared.
No matter, it has been a rare treat to view the Mocking Birds in this way.
Thanks,
Metro New Orleans/North Shore
We had two active nests. Not sure if the same “couple” have created simultaneous broods, or we just have many loving Mockingbirds in our yard. One nest had 4 (possibly 5) eggs; 2 in the other. Yesterday, after a thunderstorm, the eggs were missing from both nests. I witnessed a Mockingbird attacking two Crows, so I assume the Crows ate the eggs. I believe something ate 2 eggs I saw in another nest two weeks ago. I have a large Black Racer in the bed where the nest is, so I’m not sure if the eggs were eaten by the snake, Crows, etc. One nest in my yard provided a lovely home for 3 Mockingbird fledglings…but no such luck with subsequent nests. Will Mockingbirds lay eggs in the same nest more than once? I don’t want to remove the nests if there is a chance for more babes. BTW, Mockingbirds do not seem bothered by me, my husband, or our large dog who loves to sit under the nest.
My kitchen window overlooks my backyard and I noticed a crow hanging around and then all of a sudden two mockingbirds were flying around telling the crow to go away. The crow did not, so I went out and yelled at the crow. The crow went flying away and the mockingbirds went after the crow. While they were gone, I peeked in a bush near the back fence and found a nest with 3 eggs. I knew for sure the Crow will be back.
So, I covered the bush with a beach towel so the crow couldn’t snagged the eggs so easily. I made little openings so the parent birds can get in and out. The birds love it. I also put a statue on the fence so the crow would be a little bit more uneasy of sitting on the fence. The crow hasn’t been around.
One day I noticed a lot of action from the parent birds. In and out constantly from the bush with the beach towel roof. I thought “I bet those eggs hatched”. So, I went out and lifted the towel and spread the leaves apart and there they were. 3 baby birds. I started leaving sliced fresh papaya inside the bush and I would come back and find it all eaten up. I go out there all the time and leave fruit for the parent birds. They sit up on a tree and watch me. They have never attacked me. I really believe they know I am harmless.
Our backyard jacuzzi sits 2 feet away from the nest. I used the jacuzzi the other day and while I am sitting in the jacuzzi…the birds keep going back and forth into the bush with food in their beeks for their babies. They don’t seem to mind I am right there.
I think they know I helped saved them from the crow. It is so sweet. They are spoiled and I think they know that. They get fed fresh fruit every day. I even go out and talk to them when they are sitting there on a branch looking down at me. They watch me lift the towel and peek at the babies once in a while, but never attack.
I have grown fond of Mocking Birds because they are very smart and they work hard taking care of their babies. I am just worried about the babies leaving the nest and falling into the jacuzzi and drowning. The jacuzzi is practically under the tree bush. They should be leaving their nest soon.
I may find a tarp and cover the jacuzzi. Anyway, I am really enjoying these amazing birds.
Because I spoil them so much, they may be back next Spring. OMG…they are so noisy….uuugghhhh.
We live in Florida and were thrilled to find that mockingbirds built a nest in our bouganvillia tree. They raised three babies and it was wonderful watching them and hearing them. After they had left the nest,
my husband pruned the tree, left the nest but cut quite a bit of the
tree back. And now we have a mockingbird sitting on the nest again. Would it be the same ones ? I am totally fascinated by these wonderful birds. In fact I prayed that they would build a nest in our tree.
Thanks for your website, and information.
Jane Hackbush
Well, the jacuzzi was a threat. I found a baby bird dead after trying to fledge out of the nest that was above my jacuzzi. I just knew that was going to happen. Very sad. The other baby is still in the bush and is stubborn about fledging. It has been 16 days and she is big enough to leave the nest. The baby is cute and very shy, scared and timid. Don’t know what happen to the third bird…hopefully, its fledging was successful. The mother stays around and continues to feed and protect the baby in the bush. I put a pet fence around the jacuzzi….I hope that helps save this little fella. I was reading how there is a high mortality rate for baby birds and many of them only live up to 10 months. Wow. Very sad for how hard birds work to build a nest, sit on the eggs and find food for their young and protect them from predators. Tough world out there….no wonder why this little fella doesn’t want to leave its nest.
We have a single mother raising three chicks in the oak tree in front of our house. It is quite comicle to watch here chase the squirrels away and dive bomb the neighborhood stray cat. One day while sitting on the porch we saw a blue jay fly into the nest and knock one of the baby mocking birds to the ground and my wife chased off the jay. I got the ladder and my wife used her gardening gloves to pick the baby off the ground. I used the other glove and put the baby back in the nest. I couldn’t see into the nest so gently dropped the baby back in on top of its brothers. We guarded the nest for almost 15 minutes before the mother returned. She rearanged the babies and then fed them. She made 3 more feedings before sitting on them for the night. Well we got curious as to what to feed them so the mother would not be gone so long and found this site. The mother will find a tray of raisens in the morning near our porch. Thank you for this site.
we found a baby mocking bird egg and it hatched last night we dont know what to feed it or what to use to keep it warm and its mom got killed bye my cat.CAN YOU HELP US SAVE THIS BIRDS LIFE?
we were delighted to see mockingbirds building a nest in our jasmine hedge in the backyard. in due time i got curious and approached the nest to see three eager yellow beaks asking for food. I did not allow anyone to come near the nest and loved watching the parents fly in and feed their progeny. the chicks would have been more than a week old when my curiosity got the better of me and i approached the nest again to see. i say gray fluff and feathers. both parents sat on the roof and screeched at me. i had made an occasional brief appearance outside to make the parents aware that we posed no danger. well, when the parents screeched, i stood and tried to talk to them in a soothing, low voice before going back inside. the next day, the nest was empty. i was hearbroken, but noticed that the parents still flew into the bush to feed someone. with my binoculars i spotted one baby , sitting motionless in a corner. i haven’t seen much activity since and am guilt-ridden. the parents are helping themselves to my raisins, but i don’t see any other activity. i have one VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION:
did i cause the parents to get the babies out too soonin i spotted one my short presence known for a day, thinking the mocks might realize that we are friendly
we were delighted to see mockingbirds build a nest in our jasmine hedge in the backyard. they fed at least three babies. one day i got too nosy and approached the nest. the babies had grey fluff and feathers. the parents both sat on the roof and screeched at me. i stood and talked to them in a soothing voice. previously i had made my presence known. i wanteed them to know there was no offence. well, the next day, the nest was empty. i was heartbroken, but saw that someone was fed, one baby that i spotted with my binoculars., but subsequently there was no activity in my hedge. i feel very guilty for my nosiness and have one important question:
do mockingbirds use the same nest or not? i have not found anyone able to answer this question. if you have the answer, please let me know.
thanks,
Edith Huber,
Trinity, Florida
Bailey,
If you have a bird sanctuary in your area; I would take the baby there immediately. By the time this is posted; you have probably already done something; I have always had little success with baby birds unless they were a little older…just fed mashed up bread with warm milk from a dropper.
A mockingbird family has built a nest at the top of my kids play house. I told the kids to be sure not to touch the nest and to be weary of what Mama bird was trying to tell them… like “get out”. Though the kids continue to play up there, Mama bird does not seemed threatened by them at all. She makes a frog noise and stares at them when she want to get in her nest and the kids come in. Tonight was a bad night however. My eldest went out to check the nest and found it empty and the eggs hatched. A little while later she noticed the dog barking at something on the ground she thought was a wrapper that turned out to be one of the fledglings. When she went to inspect it my BAD BAD BAD dog snatched the bird up in his mouth and crushed the poor baby. We are all heart broken. So here’s the questions…
Do mocking bird have more than one litter a year/season? &
Will the mockingbirds come back to the same nest next year like our annoying swallows?
For 4yrs. I’ve had a female Mockingbird nest in the same tree and nest. Her babies grow up and fly away. She just had more babies about 2 weeks ago. This afternoon it rained very hard and I found the babies dead in the driweway. We have never bothered her or the nest ever. I can’t understand what happened. Can anybody shed some light on this for me please. Thankyou Tony
I believe we have a Mockingbird couple who have built a nest in our hybiscus tree. The birds do not seem to be bothered by our golden retrievers, who lay around and sleep all day. If one of the babies falls out of the nest, what should we do?
I live on Long Isalnd and about 3 weeks ago I started hearing a mockingbird’s nightly song. It made its home in a tree on our front yard and would fly out and proudly sing on the telephone wire just a few feet away. We loved the sound “our” little bird made. Well, my neighbor across the street just told my husband that it was keeping him up at night, so he shot it with a pellet gun. When he noticed my husband’s reaction he claimed he was just kidding, but we have not heard it singing tonight and know that we will no longer hear its sweet song as we doze off to sleep.
Mechelle: I have learned that it is fine to pick up the baby bird and place it gently back into the nest. Better back in the nest if it isn’t ready to fledge yet than to leave it on the ground to predators.
Good evening.
What is the lifespan of a Mockingbird, please?
Thank you.
8 year lifespan for Mockingbirds
We have an awesome male here at work that likes to mimic the squeaky brake pads on the shuttle bus and the fire truck sirens…..he’s very amusing
I haven’t seen him attack any people but we do get a lot of crows. He does very well at keeping them away.
This may be a dumb question, but why do mockingbirds when walking around on the ground open they wings, hold them outstretched for a moment and the close them. The bird walks a little distance and does this over and over again repeating this. I was wondering if it was a mating ritual or a defense tactic.
Rarely strike? Not the ones that used to live in my neighborhood in North Dallas. For a time I could count on regularly getting smacked in the back whenever I went out to tend my garden. During the same time, one would repeatedly whack my cat whenever he walked on the fence.
That was years ago and a different location. I’ve got a new pair that show up to complain whenever the cats go in the back yard. I’ve seen some near misses, but I’m waiting for a direct strike.
I have a baby mockingbird in my front yard. She seems to hide in the bushes. How long does it take for a baby to fly?
We live in Southern Illinois and I have noticed that every year for the 6 years we’ve lived here that the Mockingbirds stop singing early in the morning,precisely at the end of July. Noise all spring and into the end of July, then on August 1, silence.
Does the Northern Mockingbird migrate? If so, when?
Do mocking birds mate more than 1 time a year its sept & it seems they are trying to mate again this year
i am hoping to save some nothern mockingbird eggs because last summer me and my friend saved these two little nothern mocking brids and the mother keeped them and it had been atlest 3or4 weeks after we sade them and we fond blue-sky on the ground deid and i poromis my self i would try to save all the baby nmockings i could with the help of my mom and friend bob and hes going to make a solar powerd incubater but we doint no how warm it needs to be to keep the alive in the incubater so how warm does it have to be??
Sam, I wish I could help you but I have no idea. I don’t see how the eggs are even viable any more.
Mike, I live about 30 miles East of Dallas and I have a big problem. I left my window down in my pickup 05-04-11. Next day I saw a mockingbird sitting on the window sill of my truck with a twig in it’s mouth. It hopped into my truck and put the twig down by the speedometer. It continued all day and the next and next. Today, (05-09-11) I have a full blown nest that she’s built right up between the speedometer and steering column. I have pics of her and her progress. Now,,,I need to roll my window up because of rain and I don’t want her to lay eggs in my truck because of the mess. What can/should I do? By the way, just last week we lost the last of 4 baby mockers on our back porch right beside our door. We stayed away from it and really wanted those little babies to grow up. We love mockers here in the country.
Gene, you’ve got quite a dilemma on your hands! I feel bad for you, especially since you don’t seem to have any good options. You’d better get that nest out of there before mama lays her eggs.
Hi there! My kids and I are heartbroken….and baffled! After watching 2 mockingbirds building a nest in a close-by pine for days on end, we carefully looked in this past Sunday (Mother’s Day). Two eggs had hatched and one was gently shaking!! We quickly walked away, and I watched the tree on and off for two days, only to notice no mockingbird activity.
We looked again today, and discovered an empty nest. We are so confused and really sad!! Was it our fault? Did we lead a predator to the nest? Did the mother relocate her babies?
Any/all input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.
I am from Mexico and I found a baby mockingbird two weeks ago, I warm it up with hot water in a plastic bottle,I wrap the bottle with a cloth and put it in the bottom of a box, then I put the baby on top. TO feed the baby I give it Purina its a chicken food, cucumber, apple, palla, cornmeal, ants, and food canary breeding. Its very intelligent follows where ever I go. You can see his photos in my facebook you can look me up by my name or email rubarvy@gmail.com
sorry for my bad English
I have a mocking bird in a tree at the far end of my yard. I may be an odd ball, but there’s nothing i like better on nights when I cannot sleep than to raise my window and fall asleep listening to the songs. The funnies thing is that i will hear him slip in some car alarm sounds, and since we live in the city he seems to have a pretty good handle on the police cars whoop whoop sound too..:)
nice to see what Ruby and Tori said….and shame on anyone who wants to get rid of mocking birds. we had mocking birds building a nest in the hedge of our backyard last year and were delighted. this year they chose to build a new nest in our neighbor’s tree and now two couples of cardinals took over the feeding station and bird bath and do their best to get along with each other. wild birds are a marvelous gift of nature and should be appreciated.
Edith
My cat was lying beside a baby mockingbird a little over week ago. It was not fully feathered so I brought it inside and fed it a mixture of wild bird seed, minus the sunfower hulls, small breed dry dog food, a few duck pellets and cracked corn, put through the coffee grinder until it ground finely and then mixed it with enough water to make a runny paste. It loved it and I had to feed it every 15 minutes during daylight hours (it even went to work with me everyday and sat in one of my office plants from 8:30 to 5:00 M-F). I had it a week and it had gotten all of it’s feathers and had lost that “baby bird” look. I kept it in a container that was clear with air holes and perches and it did well in it during the 45 minute drive to and from work, but once it got home it wanted to get out really badly. When it was able to perch well I would take it out to a small tree and let it sit in it for a bit and it did peck at the leaves on the tree and the ants that were crawling on the tree, but it didn’t try to feed itself as long as I fed it. Anyway, after I had it for a week, I put it in the little tree and it flew to a taller tree before I could get it. I called it and it would answer me back, but wouldn’t come down. It stayed in the tall tree all night and was fine when I checked on the next morning. I had to leave to go to work, but came home at lunch and it had flown back closer to the house. Again, I called to it and it answered me constantly, but then it flew across my backyard which is about 3/4 of an acre to a more wood area. It’s stayed in that area for several hours and then it was gone. I am sick to death that I let it go too soon and am worried that it couldn’t fed itself properly. Do you think it will be okay since it could fly as well as it did?
Well mine is a month old and it flies very well but it still whants me to feed him in his mouth
Maybe leave some meal worms in a bowl for him by a window and if he shows up then you are at peace of mind that the bird is surviving. The bird could be visiting you and you may not know it, but if food is left out then maybe you can get sight of him and know everything is fine.
I go to the area I last saw it and call out it it every day, but have not heard anything that sounded like it. We have had two bad storms since he flew away, which makes me also worry. The only thing that is giving me any comfort at all is knowing that it is one of God’s creatures and there is instinct for survival bred in him. When I had him, I made sure that I didn’t handle him anymore for than necessary as I didn’t want him to be imprinted on me, but I was still in it presence from dawn till dusk for a week.
I hope you get a sight of him. I know that you just want to know if he survived. You could still try leaving some food out. Good luck.
I had a mockingbird nest in my tree outfront, but Im trying to figure out if she just laid her eggs or whats going on. Doesnt seem like she sits to long. She comes and picks around then sits for a lil them flies away. Or it looks like maybe mom is sitting on eggs and dad is bringing her food is that even possiable? Or how much time does mom spend sitting on the eggs?
Mockingbirds are as good as it gets to being parents. You are correct that the male gets food and the female stays by the eggs. Parents will also take turns and the female will get food and the male sits high atop a tree and plays guardsmen. My mockingbird eggs have hatched and I have meal worms in a bowl by my window and I see the male come and fill his beak up with worms and then land on the ground and cut them up and then scoop them back up and take them to the babies. Then a moment later, the female shows up and scoops a bunch of worms in her beak and then flys back to the babies. The funny thing is that the female doesn’t crush up the worms for the babies, but the male does. Interesting.
I just came upon this site as I have been attempting to understand the experience I had 10 years ago. My mother was in my home and had been diagnosed as terminal with congestive heart failure. For a month she had been in and out of reality. One night a mockingbird sang all night outside my bedroom window. I had never heard the bird before, and I never heard it again after that night. I dreamed that my mother stood up (she had been wheelchair bound for 2 years) and could walk. She told me she was going to be okay. The bird kept singing in the background as I would wake up and go back to dreaming. I got up at about 5:00 a.m. and went into her room where the hospice nurse was sitting with her. I told her that I loved her and that it was okay to go, then I went back to bed. Ten minutes later the nurse came in and said it was time. I went in and Mom was gone. The bird stopped singing and I never heard it again but I never forgot the symbolism of that night and the beautiful song of that bird!
I moved back to California 5 years ago to care for my father who was terminally ill with lung cancer. Not long after I moved in with my Dad, I noticed the wonderful sounds of a mockingbird and spent many long nights sitting on the patio talking to my new feathered friend. I was fascinated that he seemed to respond back to me when I would talk to him, almost as if it was a game. He would also follow me. If I was in the back yard he would sit in tree near me there, but if I walked to the front yard he would fly over the house and sit on a tree near me and continue chatting. Each year for 3 years in a row he would show up for about two months and then disappear. He became a comfort during a difficult time. When my Dad passed away 18 months ago, I had to sell his home and move to another neighborhood about 5 miles away. I hadn’t thought much about my bird friend in quite some time, but had noticed how quiet this neighborhood was at night. The, 3 days ago, I was coming home from somewhere at about 10 pm. As I started to open my front door, I froze in place as I heard the familiar chirping and singing once again from only about 15 feet behind me. I must admit, I actually started crying because I just couldn’t believe it could be the same bird. I still have no idea if it is him … but this bird chats with me the same way the other one did and has returned each evening singing non-stop until dawn- he is outside the window now just chatting away, probably driving the neighbors nuts
Most likely a coincidence I imagine, but I think I’ll always wonder if there is any logical explanation of how he could have found me and if he will return again next year ???
How sad! Human beings have robbed the land of the wildlife, chopped up everything and replaced it with an I ME MINE self righteous greed for turf. How awful it must be, then, to help out a little mockingbird to rear its babies for a little while! Poor you! How sorry I feel for you poor folks! Really! What an audacity that they may come to your garden, asking for your mercy to secure their lives! Someone smack yee!
Thoroughly disgusted!
About 2 months ago my dog pulled a mockingbird nest down and ate 3 of the babies before we caught him. The last one was a bit bedraggled but we thought since the dog ate the nest, we should take him in. We fed him cat food and mealworms and he has thrived! He had a few feathers but not alot and now he is pretty much full feathered. The only thing is, he wont fly away! I did try to get a bird sanctuary to take him at first but they were too busy or something to even return my calls! So he sleeps in the house is a special cage we made for him and spends his days outside. Never goes far and he always come running when I talk to him. Wondering if he will ever decide it’s time to leave home or if I have a new pet. Anyone?
That has to be the cutest thing having a baby mockingbird just love you so much and follow you around. How cute is that!!! Maybe you should get into the bird rescue business….you are GOOD. Congrats to you on saving the little guy. The only advise I have because I am not an expert on this situation, but is to try to call the bird sanctuary people again and see what they suggest. It seems dangerous for the little guy to go out on his own because he didn’t have mama or papa bird to teach him the tricks of hunting food and protecting himself from predators. I am from California and it is illegal to keep wild animals or birds as pets…..so I would try the sanctuary again. Good luck. Also, to save money on meal worms, if you are still feeding him, they sell Freeze-dried meal worms in the pet stores and you just boil some in water and they become soft again. Saves money and also not having to have meal worms in your frig. I put 1/4 cup of water in a measuring cup and boil freeze-dried meal worms for 2 minutes. My backyard mockingbirds love them.
A pair of doves made a nest in the yucca in back of my porch over the weekend, but now it appears that a mockingbird is fixing it up for him/herself. Is this possible? I can’t get a good look at the mystery parents, but there is a dark upturned tail, white throat and rump, and black bill. Its shape does not resemble a dove at all.
My question is what can I put in a bird feeder to feed a mockingbird? I love birds and my friend is starting to talk to us and sings to us all the time. I want to keep him around so I can teach him more calls and words he is already saying words like here kitty kitty and he knows how to call our dogs. I know it is a male he is loud and sings all night long and during the day as well. I want to help the little friend out he is very interesting?
For Paula:
any birdseeds will be fine for mocking birds. they also like birdbaths. we did that and had mocking birds nesting in our jasmin bush. don’t be surprised if your male bird stops singing. they do that to attract a mate and stop whenever they found their partner. we were so disappointed about it until we knew the reason. enjoy!
Edith
For Paula:
My mockingbirds in California do not eat any bird seeds. They like meal worms. They are a pain to buy alive all the time and costly, so I go to the pet store and purchase a bottle of Freeze-dried Meal Worms. Yep, they have these. One bottle goes a long way, too. Just put a a couple pinch full of dried worms in 1/2 cup of water and boil in microwave for 3 minutes. This softens them up…..then I have my little ceramic bowl that a fill just a tad of oatmeal flakes and I pour almost all the water out from the boiling water that the worms soften up in and pour into the bowl of oatmeal. If you buy fresh meal worms, the pet shop has the worms in crushed oatmeal….so that is where I got that idea.
Then I just set the bowl out where the MK knows they are there. It may take a couple of days for them to feed on it, but they do and love it. If it is hot out, then the worms may dry back up, but I keep them in a little water to keep them moist. I have seen the MK parents come and put a dozen in their beak and fly over to feed their babies. It makes me feel good that I am helping them feed their babies. I also see these other little sparrow birds come and eat the moistened oatmeal. They don’t touch the worms, but like the oatmeal. My finch and goosebeak and Scrub jays birds all like the seeds, but MK’s do not touch the seeds at all. They go for the meal worms. But, I am in California….maybe the MK’s out here have a different eating pattern.
Our babies have just left the nest and now we see the adult Mockingbirds still hanging around swooping at us. We have just discovered another nest placed on the ground in the same bushes about 10 feet from the original nest. Could this nest be for more babies or is it for the first set of birds to be safe and lower to the ground? Mom and dad are really protecting the area still. Let me know.
Mockingbirds will nest more than once in the Spring and through the summer months.
Does anyone know if mockingbirds return to the same place where they were raised every year or if they even ever leave the same area?
I have heard that Mockingbirds are nest robbers — that the reason they imitate birdsong is to identify nests of other species eggs and young to feed on them. Truth? Or bullsh&#?
Thank you for your excellent blog. I tutor in Northern and Southern California all subjects including test prep. I will steer clear, though. I do not seek to compete.
DD
mocking birds are so annoying but they are so pretty.
Hi! My children recently found and fell in love with an abandoned baby mockingbird. Though we plan to release it, I was wondering if it is legal to own a mockingbird in the state of Texas? If so, is there a possibility of legal troubled heading our way for attempting to nurse the little fellow back to health.
Hello! We recently had a mocking bird lay her eggs in a small tree in our backyard. Because we have 6 dogs who often go outside.. we made a low screen enclosure around a large area of the tree.. However we have been doing landscaping and with the dog activity.. I think that the Mockingbird may have decided to move her nest because after about a week or so .. they are now all gone. We do not have any squirrels in the area.. and there is no sign of damage to the nest. Could it be possible that she moved the eggs?
If a mockingbird mimics the sounds and songs of its region, what would it sound like if it was raised in isolation?