| I've seen my share of mockingbirds in four states, but I had never been privileged to witness this behavior. Nor have I ever read about it. Running around on the ground and in the underbrush, it would stop, flare out its wings, close them, run, stop and then flare them out again. First, I wondered if it was hot and this was a way of cooling off. Then I wondered if this was some sort of territorial display or a mating ritual, but no other mockingbirds were in the immediate vicinity. I'm still not completely sure, but I think this was a method for scaring up bugs to eat, much like an American Redstart does by flashing its wings and tail. Have you seen this type of behavior in Northern Mockingbirds? |
Terrific photos Robert, Arizona looks like a great place to bird!
ReplyDeleteFabulous photograph of the mockingbird exhibiting interesting behavior! I always enjoy birding posts from the western area of the United States, as I have not had the pleasure to go birding there yet. Most of the birds featured are birds I have never seen before, so it's a pleasure to see these beauties. Terrific close-up of the Curved-billed Thrasher! All great!
ReplyDeleteGreat captures. Excellent with the mockingbird. Soon this little guy within the next couple months will be singing in our Oak Trees looking for a mate. The two birds that I have difficulty getting snapshots of are the Phoebe and Abert's Towhee. This weekend I tried to do my best and get them on camera but I didn't have much luck. The Phoebe doesn't stay still long enough to let my manual focus sharpen up:) I'm glad you had some excellent birding here. It's a great place to do it!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Robert! I have seen that behavior in Northern Mockingbirds before while I lived in Florida. Like you though I never understood why they were doing it.
ReplyDeleteCool photos Robert. I've seen Mockers doing that too, but none of my theories are any good, so I'm going to adopt yours as well. I also agree about the Towhees; rarely do I see them perched in the open. I was down at the Water Ranch today though and it was a 3 Towhee day with 1 Spotted and 1 Green-Tailed seen with Aberts. Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Robert. I was hoping to get to Arizona at the beginning of April but alas, I couldn't get that week off. I can't wait to bird there.
ReplyDeleteI have seen similar behavior of the Northern Mockingbird and never did figure it out. Just like you said, the bird I observed was the only Mocker around and it was displaying like this bird but then it picked up what looked like nesting material. It displayed for awhile, posing for me and actually approaching my car which I used as a blind. It finally flew up into a tree. You can see a photo of it displaying here.
Again, a great post. Love that Curved-billed Thrasher! That would be a lifer for me!
Fantastic series of photos, Robert! Interesting to read about that mocking bird behaviour. Thanks for stopping by my blog. It's only recently that I've started photographing birds. Now I think about/observe them most of the time.:)
ReplyDeleteHi there - splendid set of pictures. If you like black and white birds you should pay a visit to Australia - we have plenty.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Australia
Hmmm, so Ca...Razy beautiful Mockingbirds:) Since it is time to be pairing up for a mating and nesting season, maybe it was simply trying to win approval of a fine female Mockingbird somewhere near by. I have never seen this activity, but I have witnessed them claim their territory for a whole winter. I have also seen them actually get right in and chase a Red-Shouldered Hawk which could so easily have them for supper, out of the area of their nest. They are quite the bravest songbirds around here, dive bombing dogs, humans, anything if they get near a nest~
ReplyDeleteEgret is very beautiful!!! Cheers, Ruby
ReplyDeleteThey are all beautiful! I really love them all specially the Egret! Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteVery cool Robert.
ReplyDeleteRobert, I have not observed that behavior in Mockingbirds but your description of it makes me think of the way reddish egrets will spread their wings while hunting in the water. Perhaps the mocking bird is doing the same thing, only with insects in the sand? It would make sense that the insects would run into the shadow and within reach of the bird's beak! How nice it is for me to see these familiar AZ birds. It fills my heart with longing to return to that sun-washed state!
ReplyDeleteHi, I was using the internet to confirm that the birds in my yard that exhibit the stange "flashing" behaviour are Mockingbirds, and I saw your site. Yesterday I was watering a plant we have in a large tire. After watering a few minutes a juvenile Mocker hopped up on the tire. Apparently, he was down in the tire at the base of the plant. I backed away and turned off the water, then watched to see what he would do. It cracked me up, after a minute or two he started across the yard stopping every few feet to do the flashy thing with his wings. He did this until he reached the neighbor's solid fence then sat there like he wasn't sure what to do next.
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