People have lots of different types of pets – dogs, cats, turtles, hamsters, parakeets and goldfish. I have a pet mockingbird. Our relationship began this spring when I was feeding mealworms to my bluebirds in their special tray. The mockingbird, who mostly hangs out on or near our neighbor’s hedge, flew over to investigate, discovered the mealies, had a few and flew back to the hedge. Quickly, he came to realize that I was the Mealworm Fairy, the source of his treats and he began flowing me around whenever he saw me.
Yesterday, I was mowing the grass, and he flitted from limb to limb, staying close by as I pushed the mower. He finally gave up and flew away, but when I finished mowing, I brought out a handful of wiggly meal worms, put them in the tray and he took advantage.
Mockingbirds are very intelligent with a large vocabulary. When they sing it’s like an aria at the opera. They are human-friendly but very territorial. My pet mockingbird will not allow any of his in anywhere near the backyard. I look forward to future feedings and I welcome his companionship.
