Northern Mockingbird  Mimus polyglottos
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos

Once captured for sale in the pet trade from the 1700’s to the 1900’s, the Northern Mockingbird is known for its long complex songs often imitating other birds.  It is a loud and persistent singer, often sings all day and into the night and continues to add new songs to its repertoire throughout its life.
Once while visiting my mother in Conn., I heard what I thought was someone whistling a familiar song.  Well I looked around and I didn’t see anyone nearby until I looked up.  Low and behold it was a mocking bird.
Visiting in Florida, the bird seemed to be everywhere and very well adapted to urban communities as it also nests in the shrubbery of hedgerows and thickets near open ground.
It is expanding northward, partly due to the widespread planting of the Multiflora rose and will have two to three broods per year.

Copyright Mark Tiefenbach
Deepbrook Nature Photography