[va-richmond-general] Message From RAS Website Link
- From: Joe Lively <joelively@xxxxxxx>
- To: va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2015 18:45:42 -0500
Re: This response is to recent log by Suzanne Jenkins about her mockingbird
visitor.
Hi, Suzanne!
Thanks for stirring some memories. Mockingbirds certainly do have a pugnacious
manner and I enjoy seeing them play the role of boss hogof the yard. I have
been a fan of mockingbirds for some 70 years.
Early childhood experiences perhaps elevated them to the status of one of my
favorites.
Long ago, watching my father hand feed mockingbirds a mixture of cut up
raisins, cherries and walnuts proved the territorial nature of this
bird. That mocker would swoop in to land on my dad's shoulder or broad brimmed
hat. Then he would hop down from this temporary perch to his hand
and fill his stomach until it bulged. Once he had had his fill, he would
struggle to lift off and settle on a low branch of one of the rows of small
pecan trees
adjacent to our old farm house.
Dad would also hand feed other species of birds, but woe be unto any other
unfortunate critter that attempted to approach the free handouts offered
to them. In addition to other birds, I remember that mocker intimidating our
old family dog and even make the family cat scoot for cover. The only bird that
had the brass to
stand up to that mockingbird was an occasional bluejay. But, only with a nearly
satisfied appetite would the mocker give ground.
Many years later, I also enjoy hand feeding birds. I have only been fortunate
to have had one mockingbird take offerings from my hand. That was years ago.
All mockingbirds that I have observed share the same traits, especially during
the cold winter days when their naturally available diet diminishes.
They will tend to guard any wild grape vine or berry bush as if they sense
their survival depends upon that particular source. Perhaps it does in some
cases.
I suspect that many mockingbirds succumb to extremely cold temperatures and
nocturnal predators. Every winter, I find white mottled, gray feathers
adjacent to the very trees and bushes that provide food, cover. The prime
predator suspect would be any of several species of owls that are abundant
throughout our rural home area. Nocturnal cameras have documented that feral
cats frequently take advantage of low refuges that are typically used by
mockingbirds and other small birds at night.
If you enjoy hearing the pleasing sound bites coming from this mimic, you can
enhance their habitat to attract more. Plant dogwoods, hackberries. Wild foods
such as wild raspberries, blackberries, wild cherries, wild grapes, sumac,
elderberries, black gum, holly and cedar contribute to their varied diet.
Putting out (and regularly replacing) several suet blocks will also attract
them like magnets.
During our last snow, I also saw species that rarely come around the house. Of
note on the list were: Hermit Thrush (3), Brown Thrasher (2),
Eastern Towee (3), American Woodcock (1), Eastern Bluebirds (12-14), American
Robbins (many), Fox Sparrows (several), two unidentified warblers, one juvenile
bald eagle and of course, a boss hog mockingbird.
Other bird notes: The female Rufous hummingbird that was hosted by an Amelia
County family decided she had had enough of this nasty weather. She had filled
out and was ready
to depart. The host family misses her regular presence and was appreciative
that Bruce Peterjohn was able to band her.
Come on Spring!!!!
Joe Lively
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