Young Northern Mockingbird
This fledgling/juvenile Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is described as such by me because it certainly looks and acts old enough to get its own food, but it keeps on begging for a delivery. One of the parents flew in and fed it a snack a moment later. It’s September, and it is time to get going, young one! The days keep getting shorter and soon enough you will be having to find your own meals. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreMock vs. Chuck
This Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) was not taking too kindly to this young Woodchuck, Groundhog, or any other common name you’d like (Marmota monax) as it was only trying to nibble on a few delicious green snacks on a cloudy morning. You can see their relative sizes are not that far off, with this young chuck wondering why mom and dad did not explain the joy of birds before. Mockingbirds can be vicious pests if you are anywhere near they’re nest doing…well, anything, like existing in their space! I can recall being attacked and whacked by them as a small child...
Read MoreNorthern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
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...
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