"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us." {Miss Maudie's quote from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.}
I believe a rare gift has been given me whenever I hear a mockingbird sing. I stop whatever I am doing to listen. To me, they are one of the most fascinating birds to have been created.
Did you know that some older mockingbirds have a repertoire of up to 300 songs? Some can even imitate other animals. Yet, strangely, they have no song of their own.
Like the albino deer, a mockingbird sighting is considered a good omen in many cultures. Some consider it a harbinger of good fortune and luck, or an easing of your sufferings and trouble. Others believe it signifies a reassurance that your guardian angel is watching out for you and that you are protected.
Most notably, however, a mockingbird is interpreted as signifying innocence. (Hence, the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, is symbolic for the loss of innocence....After all, why would anyone want to kill such a free-spirited, joyful, creature?)
{Sorry that you cannot see the songster more clearly, but I was looking into the sun taking this. But turn your volume up!}
I know mockingbirds are common to some, if not many, of you...but, here, in Nod, they seem to be a rare treat for some reason. Even rarer are the beautiful night time serenades they're prone to do. They can wake you from a sound sleep and keep you awake for hours, but you do not begrudge them that.
Well, at least I don't.
19 comments:
Thanks so much for sharing this rare treat with us and the information. What a delightful little signer.
I only saw one mockingbird in our area once, about 10 years ago. He perched on a wire and sang his little heart out and that was the last time I saw it. I was so happy to have had the pleasure to listen to its long repertoire. I hope that your little friend the mockingbird sticks around for a little while longer.
I can't believe, I killed my first mosquito of the season this evening. He never got the chance to sing.
Take care,
Hugs,
Julia
I've heard them in my area but never saw them. I knew it was a Mocking bird by the continuous repertoire of whistles.
Your posts are very inspirational and thought provoking; thanks for reminding me to LISTEN more to the bird songs.
I love my MB"S I had one nest in an oleander tree three consecutive summers. Two years I watched and listened to the babies. The third year I think a cat must have got to them. the tree was eventually cut down but the MB's remain. The only time they upset me (like right now) is when they nibble off every pineapple guava blossom I get on my two bushes. I have yet to see any fruit after 5 years. This year I have not caught any and all the birds seem to be scarce around the neighborhood.
Huge kerfluffle in Vegas right now- A fancy smancy development just culled over 30 canada geese from their golf course. The geese just discovered Vegas about 10 years ago as ponds were added everywhere (what water shortage?) and climate change altered their normal routes. Folks around here seem to dislike ALL birds and regularly poison them. I feed them, make fountains and baths and love when they visit.
We do have mocking birds here but I do not see them much at all. Lovely information on them
Cathy
So glad to see another bird post! We are blessed to have mockingbirds living in our yard. How I love their songs! Did you know that a mockingbird that sings at night is a lonely male looking for a mate?
Oh what fun. I've yet to see one. I don't know if they are around this area or not. I borrowed my mom's bird book to try and identify some of the feathered friends I see. One day. . .
We have mockingbirds everywhere here! And I too love listening to them sing!!! One time, when I was outside doing some yard work, at a distance someone was using a chain saw...then as the hours went by, still doing yard work, I realized the mockingbird was "mocking" the saw!!! So make that 301 songs!
We get a lot of bird song around our house because we have a little bit of woodland, which in turn backs on to ancient woodland behind the house. I love it and always talk to the birds in return.
I did not know (forgot?) mockingbirds had no song of their own. Now I don't know if I've ever seen or heard one. I have heard the same songs as in your clip, but was it a mockingbird or the bird(s) that the song "belongs" to?
One bird I rarely hear and that makes me very happy - meadowlarks. So very rarely heard any more. It's a wee bit of my childhood returned.
I hope the pair that was in the roadside area last year makes it back again this year.
Good morning Robin, oh I really enjoyed the beautiful melody of the Mockingbird, thank you. I have not heard or seen any around these parts so this was wonderful plus I am a birder, lol… weather finally enjoyable, even bought some Pansy’s to perk me up…. Enjoy your day, Tuesday Blessings Francine.
Relished the sounds of mockingbirds in my hometown, but missed them greatly when we
relocated...no song .... and then was amazed to find it is this State's bird ??? still waiting...
I played this and all other birds around got quiet. Here is a good summation of bird song
Minor Bird by R Frost
I have wished a bird would fly away,
And not sing by my house all day;
Have clapped my hands at him from the door
When it seemed as if I could bear no more.
The fault must partly have been in me.
The bird was not to blame for his key.
And of course there must be something wrong
In wanting to silence any song.
My all time favorite read aloud. I loved it when my high schoolers had that on the reading list. I loved reading it out loud.
I always think about that quote when I see a mockingbird. Spring is on its way to Nod.
Well these birds are only found in our Southern counties. A nice song. We do however have wrens and I so love their song too! Janice
I can identify some calls and songs to the correct bird, but don't believe I would recognize the majority. I just like to hear them. When I went to a site for more info and clicked the audio of mockingbird vocals (I'm outside), the birds here started singing. Interesting feathered friend and I will be watching for one now.
So .... any appointments coming up?
I don't think we've had mockingbirds here at the Pines but maybe I just need to listen better! Thanks for the video! Loved it and also "To Kill A Mockingbird" is one of my favorite movies.
We have mockingbirds but I haven't seen one this year yet. I too love their sweet song - but not such a fan when they've kept me awake at two in the morning! Right now we are hearing the Baltimore Orioles that arrived about a week ago, what a strong voice they have! And like Janice of Prims By The Water I really love hearing the wrens. Hoping they will choose to nest in the little bird house we have out front nestled in the Miss Kim lilac bush again, there's nothing cuter than watching all those little baby wrens fledge when they're ready! It's like watching a clown car, lol... Jan in MA
I do love me some mockingbirds. They are amazing. We have quite a few around here and I love to sit on the backporch and watch/listen to them. Hope you have a great weekend.
Well I always love your stitcheries. We have had rain these past few days...but at least we can keep our windows open in between showers. Love your Spring flowers BTW too! Janice
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