Depending on where you live the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) may be an uncommon to rare species or a typical neighborhood pest. They have been advancing north in the past several decades, possibly because of development and more favorable habitats and likely thanks to climate change. They are still a scarce bird in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region likely for both of those reasons. Why the pest, you ask? One day, if you’re fortunate, you may wake up to a car alarm going off all night long outside your window…except it’s a bird doing a perfect imitation and it will not stop. They will also aggressively attack potential nest predators, such as you, violently swooping at your head if you come too close. If you would like a Northern Mockingbird to stick around your yard all winter long provide unfrozen, clean, fresh water for the birds and you stand a good chance of keeping it. They certainly do look friendly and attractive until they get that frightful gaze locked on you.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
