Northern Mockingbird #2

While walking my two Boston Terriers this morning I found this Northern Mockingbird enjoying the morning sun. He is perched on a blooming... more

by Robert Bales

Title

Northern Mockingbird #2

Artist

Robert Bales

Medium

Photograph - Photo

Description

While walking my two Boston Terriers this morning I found this Northern Mockingbird enjoying the morning sun. He is perched on a blooming ocotillo.

The Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema Natu in 1758 as Turdus polyglottos.
The Northern Mockingbird breeds in southeastern Canada, the United States, northern Mexico, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and the Greater Antilles. It is replaced further south by its closest living relative, the Tropical Mockingbird. The Socorro Mockingbird, an endangered species, is also closely related, contrary to previous opinion.The bird is the state bird of Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.
The mockingbird was given its name because of its ability to mimic the calls of dozens of other bird species. In fact, the mockingbird's Latin name, Mimus polyglottus, means many-tongued mimic. The mockingbirds has even been known to mimic the sounds of dogs and sirens! The mockingbird is especially vocal on moonlit spring nights.
The mockingbird is very territorial. It dives and attacks intruders that come too close to its territory. It may even attack its own reflection!

Uploaded

March 8th, 2015