Starlings are also have mimic capabilities and can create a range of impressions of other birds to impress the gals. One summer a hail storm came through that required the whole neighborhood to get new roofs. It was a very noisy summer. For several years after, we had a starling who pitched woo with a spot on impression of hammers and circular saws: “knock knock knock, veerrrRRRRRRRrrrrrrrr, verrrrrRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrr. knock knock knock……All day long. Good times.
We have mockingbirds, and this is SO TRUE. The Car Alarm Suite (Op. WTF) has been thoroughly integrated into the local repertoire, and is actually surprisingly musical.
Mockingbirds can also be REALLY loud when they’re in the mood for volume.
Ah, reminds me of the first mockingbird I ever had the . . .uh, pleasure(?) of getting acquainted with. There were no proper songbirds in the neighborhood, but plenty of cat fights and malfunctioning vehicles for it to emulate.
I don’t think mockingbirds get as far north as I am. But some of our local avian life make up for their absence. We had a woodpecker who found the perfect “tree” to drum on to attract the ladies at the crack of dawn (4:30ish); the aluminum tower that the TV antenna was on, the tower was attached to the house right outside the bedroom window. He was one of the main reasons we got a satellite dish as soon as they were affordable in our area.
The blue jays around here are surprisingly good at imitating other birds. They are no mockingbird for sure, but they do a convincing hawk impersonation.
Birds and Squirrels in my neighborhood mimic cats mewing, but only around me. I know, I spend time outside and when they see me they start. If I sit very still they stop.
prairiedogdance Premium Member over 3 years ago
Starlings are also have mimic capabilities and can create a range of impressions of other birds to impress the gals. One summer a hail storm came through that required the whole neighborhood to get new roofs. It was a very noisy summer. For several years after, we had a starling who pitched woo with a spot on impression of hammers and circular saws: “knock knock knock, veerrrRRRRRRRrrrrrrrr, verrrrrRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrr. knock knock knock……All day long. Good times.
mholding over 3 years ago
we have a Mockingbird and after counting one day we see she does more than 30 calls. It’s crazy.
Mowog over 3 years ago
We have a mockingbird that has returned to the same ash tree for seven years running.
LOLBeth over 3 years ago
We have mockingbirds, and this is SO TRUE. The Car Alarm Suite (Op. WTF) has been thoroughly integrated into the local repertoire, and is actually surprisingly musical.
Mockingbirds can also be REALLY loud when they’re in the mood for volume.
Nuliajuk over 3 years ago
At least it’s not peacocks.
https://pethelpful.com/birds/Wild-versus-Feral-Peacocks-in-Southern-California
christineracine77 over 3 years ago
Ah, reminds me of the first mockingbird I ever had the . . .uh, pleasure(?) of getting acquainted with. There were no proper songbirds in the neighborhood, but plenty of cat fights and malfunctioning vehicles for it to emulate.
Dewsolo over 3 years ago
I don’t think mockingbirds get as far north as I am. But some of our local avian life make up for their absence. We had a woodpecker who found the perfect “tree” to drum on to attract the ladies at the crack of dawn (4:30ish); the aluminum tower that the TV antenna was on, the tower was attached to the house right outside the bedroom window. He was one of the main reasons we got a satellite dish as soon as they were affordable in our area.
eolan59 over 3 years ago
Better than the real car alarm
scaeva Premium Member over 3 years ago
Pull!
6turtle9 over 3 years ago
The blue jays around here are surprisingly good at imitating other birds. They are no mockingbird for sure, but they do a convincing hawk impersonation.
crazeekatlady over 3 years ago
Birds and Squirrels in my neighborhood mimic cats mewing, but only around me. I know, I spend time outside and when they see me they start. If I sit very still they stop.
ikini Premium Member over 3 years ago
A wildlife biologist gave a talk about corvids and told a story about a raven in Juneau, Alaska, that could and did imitate a car alarm.
Thehag over 3 years ago
Blessed are Mocking Birds for they eat Tomato Horn Worms. I so love them for it!
MCProfessor over 3 years ago
That bird lives in my neighborhood.