(Click on picture to enlarge)
© 2005 / 2007 - Walter Bauer, San Antonio, Texas
Field
Marks: More slender than a Robin. Has a long mobile tail. It's gray above
and whitish below, with large white patches on the wings and tail. It is very
conspicuous in flight. When on the ground the bird often periodically raises
wings above body, displaying patches.
Voice: Its song is a long continued
succession of notes and phrases of great variety. The Mockingbird rapidly
repeats each phrase a half-dozen times or more before going onto the next
phrase. These birds are excellent mimics. Years ago while directing traffic and
using a whistle I could hear another whistle that sounded just like what I was
doing. I then saw that it was a mockingbird mimicking me.
Where found: South Canada, south to
South Mexico and the West Indies.
Texas: Resident in all parts.
Habitat: Towns, farm country, ranches, roadsides, mesquite, brush, etc.
Nest: A loose twiggy cup in bush or dense tree. The eggs are 4-5 and are bluish.