The Mockingbird
by Robert Bales
Title
The Mockingbird
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
Found this mockingbird in our backyard looking for some food..
The Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema Natu in 1758 as Turdus polyglottos.
The Northern Mockingbird breeds in southeastern Canada, the United States, northern Mexico, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and the Greater Antilles. It is replaced further south by its closest living relative, the Tropical Mockingbird. The Socorro Mockingbird, an endangered species, is also closely related, contrary to previous opinion.The bird is the state bird of Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.
The mockingbird was given its name because of its ability to mimic the calls of dozens of other bird species. In fact, the mockingbird's Latin name, Mimus polyglottus, means many-tongued mimic. The mockingbirds has even been known to mimic the sounds of dogs and sirens! The mockingbird is especially vocal on moonlit spring nights.
The mockingbird is very territorial. It dives and attacks intruders that come too close to its territory. It may even attack its own reflection!
Uploaded
April 6th, 2016
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Viewed 1,527 Times - Last Visitor from Front Royal, VA on 04/14/2024 at 3:40 AM
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Comments (6)
Don Columbus
Congratulations, your work is Featured in "Birds In Focus" I invite you to place it in the group's "2020 Featured Image Archive" Discussion!! L/Tweet
Donna Kennedy
Love to hear these beautiful birds sing, great shot Robert!...F/T/L
Robert Bales replied:
We do also love to listen them expect it is sometime at 2AM. Thanks FLT for the comment!