Northern Mockingbird - Our State Bird

     We were greeted by two Northern Mockingbirds while putting out the feeders this morning.  We enjoy watching them, they're behavior is comical.  They will land on a feeder just to see what's in it, then  jump down to the ground to catch an insect.  They eat the berries around the yard and they love taking baths.  We set out a dish of Bark Butter, which resembles peanut butter, and they devour it.  

     Adult Mockingbirds look alike,  grayish-brown above and white below.  They have two wing bars that uncover white wing patches that "flash" during flight.  The juveniles have gray spots on their throats and breasts.  They are incredible singers, with a repertoire of over 200 songs.  We've heard them singing past midnight on well-lit nights during the spring.  They mimic the calls of other birds, the sounds of animals, and even squeaky gates.  Mockingbirds are related to Thrashers and Catbirds, from the family "Mimidae".  The state bird of Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas, let's here it for the Northern Mockingbird.....tweet.....tweet!!

Northern Mockingbird (Adult)
(Taken 3/2/12, Our Backyard)

Northern Mockingbird (Juvenile)
(Taken 7/20/11, Our Backyard)

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Mockingbird/id