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Re: Mockingbird Song

From:

Gerald & Laura Tarbell

Reply-To:

Gerald & Laura Tarbell

Date:

Sat, 15 Apr 2006 11:50:48 -0400

A Mockingbird in the yard has got a fantastic song going with dead on
versions of Tufted Titmouse, Blue Jay, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Carolina
Wren, Red-shouldered Hawk, Starling, Kingfisher, Killdeer and Cardinal
songs.  All stitched together with an assortment of his own stuff!

Folks,
If you listen carefully, they usually aren't so "dead on". To my ear they
are usually off on everything they try by some minor fragment. The one they
usually get me on is Eastern Phoebe. They do that fairly convincingly.

On the subject of songs, I think one of the most varied common songs is the
Towhee's "Drink your tea". I am amazed at how often I hear them doing some
odd-sounding variation on that theme or something altogether different.
    Last year at Hashawa, there was one that insisted that "YOU drink your
tea". And it was his only version of the song. Makes you wonder if he can
rope a mate doing that.
    So this morning at Morgan Run I found one who stutters, "Drink your,
drink your tea." And he never varied from that theme the whole time he was
in ear shot, which was quite a while because he chose a high perch.
    And no, he wasn't a mocking bird doing a bad imitation - I saw him. Nice
colored adult male.
    Do these birds have a learning disability? Why do they get the song
wrong? Or are they just being individualistic? This is my version and I'm
sticking to it so to speak.
    Jerry