My favorite movie (and book) is To Kill a Mockingbird. Not because of the symbolism, which is powerful, but because I somehow identify with the three children in the movie. I've watched it dozens of times and will watch it dozens more. In the movie, Atticus Finch tells his son Jem "it's a sin to kill a mockingbird". When Jem asks Miss Maudie about it she says "Mockingbirds don't do anything but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."
I love mockingbirds, but the truth is that mockingbirds are bullies. They are often tyrants at the feeders. They are like a 6-year-old who hasn't learned to share and fly in to a feeder proclaiming it "Mine! Mine! All mine!" I've noticed this with the apples I put out for the birds. The mockingbirds spend most of their time scaring away the other birds, rather than eating the apples. However, mockingbirds are a valuable ally to other birds. They will charge after any threat to their families. If another bird sounds an alarm call, the mocker is the first to investigate and pitch in.
I love mockingbirds, but the truth is that mockingbirds are bullies. They are often tyrants at the feeders. They are like a 6-year-old who hasn't learned to share and fly in to a feeder proclaiming it "Mine! Mine! All mine!" I've noticed this with the apples I put out for the birds. The mockingbirds spend most of their time scaring away the other birds, rather than eating the apples. However, mockingbirds are a valuable ally to other birds. They will charge after any threat to their families. If another bird sounds an alarm call, the mocker is the first to investigate and pitch in.
Although mockingbirds do make their own original music, they get their name from their ability to imitate other birds' songs. They also imitate other sounds such as the squeaking of a rusty gate or a whistle they hear every day.
The favorite food of the mockingbird is fruit. However they also enjoy mealworms, bread, suet, millet, and a variety of berries such as holly berries, cedar berries, mulberries and blackberries.
One of my favorite gardening memories is from last year. It was extremely hot and I'd been working in the garden all day. I decided to take a break and sat in the shade of the Pin Oak with my cold glass of ice tea thinking "it just doesn't get any better than this!" But then it did... a mockingbird landed in the tree above me and began singing his heart out. I enjoyed his concert for the remainder of my break....it was heaven!
I can't imagine the garden without "my" mockingbirds. We have two that are here everyday whether it's sunny, snowing, or raining. I always know I can count on them for some free entertainment. I love mockingbirds!
Happy Gardening!
Words and Photos Property of Christy's Cottage Wildlife Garden
References: the BACKYARD Bird Feeder's BIBLE/Sally Roth/ 2000
To Kill a Mockingbird/1963
We didn't have any Mockingbirds on the farm until we cleared to move our house. Now 2 Mockingbird pairs live here. Truth be told I find their song to be a little strident. ;) But they are so lively and entertaining.
ReplyDeleteThey are definitely lively and entertaining! They are always doing something interesting out there. I really enjoy watching them. Thanks for stopping by!!
DeleteWe have mockingbirds here, too, but I'm rotten at identifying bird calls. So unless it's a foot away from me, I'm not always sure of which bird is making each call. Blue jays are the bullies in my garden. Their feeder hogs, for sure!
ReplyDeleteWe have lots of Blue jays too, but when I watch them go after the peanuts, I swear it seems like they take turns with the other birds. I think the Jays are just so beautiful! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteWhat a lovely memory. That mockingbird was singing to thank you for your feeding them and providing them with a place to live.
ReplyDeleteTina...I swear it really seemed like that's what "he" was doing! Once he got there my break grew longer and longer and he stayed the entire time singing away! It was awesome!
DeleteI haven't seen any Mockingbirds in my yard in a while. I do love listening to them sing. We did have one that "courted" our outside patio light at odd hours, like 3 in the morning. Poor bird was desperate to find a mate.
ReplyDeleteHi Steph....Oh that poor bird! I wonder what ever happened to him. Maybe he's dating a porch light somewhere! ;-)
DeleteWhat lovely captures and a neat post... enjoyed visiting today! Larry
ReplyDeleteThanks Larry! I'm so glad you enjoyed the post.
DeleteWe don't get mockingbirds here but I did see some in St. Lucia. I have a question. Do you purchase mealworms to feed in summer? I was thinking of adding them this year so birds can has food for their young. I just never talked to anyone doing it before. They are not too expensive if bought online, but are in the pet stores.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna! Yes, we do buy mealworms for the birds. We originally bought them for the Bluebirds, but the Mockers (and others) really like them too. When we started, we bought live worms from the bait shop. However they were pretty pricey. Then I found freeze dried mealworms that are sold at pet stores, farm stores and Lowes. They are less expensive and the birds seem to like them just as much! I think they would be a great addition for your birds! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI've never seen one here. Too bad after readng your wonderful description....
ReplyDeleteHi tb....I think you would really enjoy watching their antics. They are always entertaining. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteNo identifiable birds around our house. Too much snow.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's too bad. Maybe once the snow melts you'll see them! Thanks for visiting my blog!
DeleteI love mockingbirds, too. They are always chattering. And every time I hear a bird's song that I can't recognize, it's the mockingbird!
ReplyDeleteThey really are fun to watch and I love to hear them sing! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI enjoyed this post! We have a lot of mockingbirds on our property, and I enjoy watching and listening to them as you do. We have a weeping yaupon holly tree outside our kitchen door, which is glass, and we always look forward to the mockingbirds feeding on its berries in late winter. They will decide the berries are just right, then strip it clean in one day.
ReplyDeleteHi Deb! Thanks so much for your comments. It must be amazing to watch them eat all the berries in one day. Do they try and chase one another away from the tree, or do they all just enjoy the berries together? If there are several in the tree at one time I would love to see that. Maybe you could take a picture! Thanks again for visiting!
DeleteChristy you asked about penstemons -- I think the same penstemons that do well in central NC would also work for you. Smooth Beardtongue and 'Midnight' are the longest-lived beardtongues in my garden. One Penstemon I didn't mention in my post was Penstemon calycosus; it's native to the eastern US and grows wild in Gail's (clay and limestone) garden.
ReplyDeleteWow!! The bird is looking so cute. You are making nice wildlife garden. Really wonderful garden.
ReplyDeleteHi Red Maple Tree and thanks so much for visiting my blog. I appreciate your comments!
ReplyDeleteHaving a rest after an afternoons hard work and enjoying a glass of ice tea with bird song in the background sounds like idyllic summer day. I am embarrassed to admit that I have never seen the movie classic or read the book To Kill a Mockingbird. Didn't that book hit a milestone anniversary recently? I must find a moment to read the book at the very least. We don't have mockingbirds here, but we have bluejays and they too are bullies at the feeders.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer. Yes, there's just something about working real hard and then sitting back relaxing and enjoying my garden. The Mocker made the moment extra special! I have not heard anything about hitting a milestone, but it may by the 50th anniversary. Hopefully the channels here will show the movie again! If you ever get the chance, watch the movie. The score in the opening scene and during the movie just moves me. As I said, I really identify with the children. Thanks so much for visiting!
DeleteWe don't have mockingbirds. I've seen them when vacationing. This winter I found suet blocks with meal worms in them. The birds really like them.
ReplyDeleteBalisha
Hi Balisha....I buy the suet with meal worms too. We have a farm store here called Rural King and they have all different kinds of suet. I also bought some that said it would attract Woodpeckers, but I haven't seen any Woodpeckers eating it. :-( A lot of birds also like the kind with peanut pieces in it! Thanks so much for visiting!!
DeleteI find the Blue Jays to be such bully's as well. I love them both but am glad when the Jays take off for the summer. The Mockingbirds seem to hang around year round for us and just as you describe in your story, The Mockingbirds will sing their little hearts out for me when I am in the garden. Last year one followed me around the entire day singing for me. I was wondering when that darn thing was going to eat as it had been at it for so long. Actually, got a bit on my nerves when right above my head. Not to mention, I was wondering when it would decide to use the potty on my head. LOL....
ReplyDeleteHi Skeeter....how funny that the Mocker followed you all day!! I also get a little nervous when the birds are perched above me. You know it's bound to happen some day. I've heard it's good luck. However, I bet a person that got pooped on is the one that made that up!! ;-)
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ReplyDeleteI enjoy them, too. I don't think I've seen any here in Wisconsin, although Cornell (www.allaboutbirds.org) says they can be found in all the lower 48 states. But last year, when we were vacationing in New Orleans, a mockingbird followed us around the botanical garden. He must have sung at least 20 different songs for us! I like your honesty about the mockingbird's true nature. And also, "To Kill a Mockingbird" is my favorite novel.
ReplyDeleteHi there! "To Kill a Mockingbird" is such a classic!! It really was a powerful book and movie! That must have been so nice having the Mocker follow you around! I swear the ones in my garden follow me around when I'm out there! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteTo Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite movie and Atticus Finch is my definition of what a real man should be. Sadly I have no mockingbirds in my garden. I started to resahpe my garden about 3 years ago. I got rid of the grass and planted so that there was food and habitate. I have added a water source and now have hummingbirds and butterflies. I am still hoping.
ReplyDeleteHi Charlie...having a garden that is also wildlife friendly is so beneficial. Not only for the garden, but it can bring you hours of pleasure just watching the wildlife. I agree, Atticus Finch was quite a man!! (Of course, I think Gregory Peck was the perfect actor to portray him.!) Thank you so much for stopping by!
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