If you ask any Texan about the mockingbird they will tell you that it has the most varied songs of any bird in North America. That is probably the sense to be named the State Bird of Texas in 1927 along with Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee. The song of the mockingbird is a combination of 35-45 different birds and often repeated in sequences.

The bird is a communal bird and will live in the country side as well as the city. They often build their nests around ones house in small trees or bushes in the yard. Their breeding season is from early spring to early summer. A pair usually has 2 broods and with perfect conditions 3-4 times in one year. The males stake out their territory early by singing almost continuously which has 2 objectives. A female seems to prefer the male that sings the best and the singing tells other male mockingbirds to stay out of his territory. Most will also sing at night but it is the unmated male that does most more vigorously. The pairs seem to remain together all during the breeding season. They do not migrate instead remain where it is familiar to them. They vigorously protect their nest from possible intruders. They will fight a bluejay, crows. owls, hawks, dogs , cats and even dive toward humans if they per sieve danger to their nest.

The mockingbird is a wonder in the bird kingdom. Other than it beauty, its ability to combine the songs or other birds into a melody that is pleasant to the ear is extraordinary. It is indeed one of the most spectacular birds of spirit.
Written by Jack Kidd.

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