Northern Mockingbird: Bird Symbol of Five States
By Dave Hanks
It is not only a symbol for 5 states (Texas – Mississippi – Arkansas –
Tennessee – Florida), but it is also in a book title – To Kill a Mockingbird.
It’s said to be a sin to kill one. Quote from the book: “They don’t do one
thing except make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens,
don’t nest in corn cribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out
for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird.” Probably the reason the
Mockingbird was selected so often as a symbol, is due to its very pretty song
and the rare ability to mimic the songs of other birds – even to sing a medley
using other bird’s songs. Barking dogs, pianos, and squeaky gates can also be
imitated. In spring, only the male sings. He will sing for hours – day and
night. Both sexes sing in autumn to claim feeding territories.
This is not one of the colorful species, but quite attractive in spite of it.
Its behavior, larger size, white front with a faint pinkish wash on the sides,
white wing bars on its gray body, yellow eye ring around its pupil, and long
beak; all these traits compensate for the lack of showy colors.
Mockingbirds are very territorial and aggressive against any intruder that
gets close to their nest. They will even attack their own reflection. This
omnivorous bird requires open grassy areas with thorny bushes to nest in.
They will readily come to a water source or to feed – especially fruit or suet.
If one ventures south or southeast, this species can be easily observed. They
are very apparent as their habit is to perch in the open on a bush or tree top.
Even though they are a plain bird, they don’t seem so to us because they have
so much “personality”. We are always excited to see them!
(Always obvious)
|
