A TRIP DOWN TO NORTH CAROLINA - PART 3 - MOCKINGBIRD

Starting off with a bird today.

While visiting Gregg's sister and husband, I awoke to the most delightful wake-up call. There was a Mockingbird sitting at the top of the tree just outside our bedroom.

You can read more about this bird here. I repeat a few facts they give at their website below.

"There are a total of 16 avian species in the world with the name "mockingbird," but the Northern Mockingbird is the only one native to the United States. Other nearby species include the elusive Blue Mockinbird of Mexico and the island-dwelling Bahama Mockinbird, both of which can occasionally appear in the U.S. 

The mockinbird's latin name is Mimus polyglottos, which literally translates to "many-tongued mimic." A polyglot is a person who speaks many languages, referencing the bird's ability to imitate sounds from its environment. While mockingbirds are known to sing several hundred different songs, some research suggests that they might not learn to copy new sounds in adulthood, as previously thought.

Mockers are prolific breeders. They have been known to make as many as seven nesting attempts during a breeding season, and one female even set an astonishing record of laying 27 eggs in a single season. 

The white patches on a Northern Mockingbird's wings and outer tail feathers serve dual purposes: The birds often show off these plumes during mating rituals, and they also flash them when defending their territory from potential predators like hawks and snakes."

More can be read at the link given above. They certainly are a fascinating little bird.

Thanks for visiting.

I hope your day is a great one.