One of my favorite movies of all time is “To Kill A Mockingbird” based on the novel by Harper Lee. In the movie, Atticus Finch (played by Gregory Peck) tells his son, Jim, that no one should ever kill a mockingbird because they do no harm to any one. Well, there is a certain robin outside the window of my office that might disagree. There is a pair of mockingbirds nesting in an evergreen bush outside and when the unsuspecting robin flew and landed close by, he was given the quick heave-ho by Mr. Mockingbird. Feathers fairly flew and the robin hasn’t returned since.
A common backyard bird, mockingbirds are a most interesting species. They derive their names because they supposedly mimic, or mock, the calls of other birds. They have beautiful voices with a wide range of trills and melodies in their repertoire.
Each day I observe with fascination my mockingbird neighbors. The male has two strategic vantage points – one on top of the evergreen and the other on a telephone wire close by. He misses nothing and woe be to any insect (or intruding robin) which happens along.
One of the most interesting traits of a mockingbird is his instinct to stand high on his legs and wave his wings skyward. This tactic often frightens whatever bug or critter the mocking bird has located and makes it move. Then the beautiful gray songbird swoops in for the kill.
Mockingbirds rarely come to feeders, but they enjoy an occasional berry along with their insect diets. I have planted blackberry and blueberry bushes in our yard, which our mockingbirds relish. I have yet to eat a blueberry, but it’s the price you pay sometimes to keep the company of an amazing backyard creature.
My pair of birds has no babies yet, but the nest is complete and in the meantime, the mother bird keeps her clutch warm. I figure in about another week, Mr. Mockingbird will be passing out little cigars. I’m hoping to get one.
