The Rites of Spring...
"You know about birds, right?" "Some"
"There's this bird...." "It's a mockingbird"
"... and it sings a lot..." "It's a mockingbird"
"... all night long!" "It's a mockingbird"
"It was outside my window and it just wouldn't shut up!" "Aren't they cool?"
A grey bird can still add color to your neighborhood.
There are many birds who incorporate a bit of mimicry into their songs, but few do it with the artistry of the mimids, the family that includes mockingbirds, thrashers and catbirds. You might often hear a familiar phrase tucked into a goldfinch song, and jays seem to delight in imitating the neighborhood hawks.
But mockingbirds... They really are in a class by themselves. When I got up this morning just after 4 am, our mockingbird was in full-throated song. We haven't had a night singer for ages, but this year the mocker loves singing in the moonlight. It might drive some crazy, but I love it. For those who don't relish the late night sonatas, don't worry - it will end in a week or two. He's just out there advertising for a mate, and will soon settle down.
His song sends a couple of messages. The variety of birdsongs and other sounds that he weaves into his own tune lets females know a bit about his experience and maybe even his smarts - more songs translates as more experience, and possibly a smarter bird to learn so many. That overnight singing? It says he's fit, and will probably be a good provider. It takes energy to sing, the fact that he can sing in the middle of the night (when he can't forage for food) says that he has enough energy to spare so that he can do something so "frivolous" - either his territory has great resources, he's a good forager, or both.
This killdeer was minding her own business when she decided I was too close to her nest...
Birds don't just fake things to find a mate - it's also a way to protect their families. Killdeer (among others) demonstrate some impressive acting skills when you get too close to their nests. They lay their eggs on the ground, usually on sand or fine gravel, where the eggs' camouflage markings help them blend in and look like pebbles.
That leaves the eggs vulnerable, but what's a tiny bird to do to protect their nest from all of the predators around her? Well, the predators are just looking for an easy meal, and few things are easier than immobile eggs. But another easy meal - a bigger one - would be a bird too injured to fly. So killdeer offer the would-be nest raider a tasty alternative.
... or so they'd have you think. The bird flushed a few feet from the nest and began calling with a pitiful cry. She fluttered her wings, exposing her bright rusty rump and tail - very eyecatching.
And it wasn't just the fluttering of the wings - she'd hold one or another at odd angles to complete the illusion that it was well and truly broken. As she engaged in her theatrics, she gradually moved further and further from the nest. I could see where the nest was, and followed her lead away so as to keep her calmer.
Once I was far enough away for her tastes, she took off in a low flight, passed over the nest (presumably to make sure it was still okay) and landed a bit further out where she could keep an eye on me. I moved on so that she could get back to tend her eggs, grateful for starting my day with a tiny drama.