I have just come across your videos today in looking for something else (about flickers.) I’ve watched a few so far and am already hooked! I love how these are informative and at the same time laced with light-hearted humor. When I lived in Providence there was a mockingbird who would keep me company all day long, every day, perched in a short tree and belting out (and showing off) his extensive repertoire. I fell in love with the spunky little guy. I grew up with them in Baltimore, too-strangely, I have yet to come across any in Connecticut (though I have many other varieties to keep me entertained!) When you said at the end of this video that the birds sing not just because they’re programmed to do so but also because they enjoy it, that filled me with indescribable joy-to where my eyes filled with tears. You just made my day. I always felt as though that were so but thought perhaps I was anthropomorphising. Thank you so much and look forward to more watching!
I'm an early riser, but this morning I couldn't sleep and got up an hour early--to find your comment waiting for me. What a nice compliment; it's enough to make up for that lost hour of sleep! I enjoyed your story of a Mockingbird companion. Considering your fondness for them, why don't you search YT for Mockingbirds Jo Alwood? You'll find three more movies I've made about these unapologetic little tyrants. Thanks for commenting. (And, oh, I'm intrigued by your screen name.)
I enjoyed your comment so much that I read it to my husband. When I did, I noticed that I had missed the last paragraph! And it was worth reading because it's such a pleasure to learn that I gave you joy. I learned about Mockingbirds mimicking and about serotonin from a book by Jennifer Ackerman called "The Genius of Birds." On the other hand, I learned from a zoologist who specializes in insects that butterflies flitting joyfully around trying to attract a mate probably have brains too small to register joy. But as I commented, "If that seduction is only an evolutionary imperative for them, thank goodness our brains are developed enough to delight in watching them." I'm having so much fun learning about wildlife as I film it and as I pass along what nuggets of knowledge I've picked up.
I wanted to write something about my existing sight of a mb who flew just a meters over my head. I listen to this bird every day and I enjoy him so much. But my story pales compared to yours, some considerations I meant to mention are already yours, and my poor English is not very powerful. I can only share with you the appreciation for Jo narrative and my concerns for my new neighbor. Jo made me aware that the hawk, that I see once in a while and that has his nest 200 meters from the nest of my right now new favorite bird,is his predator. Hopefully he will be unnoticed but he is pretty loud!
@@berlusmafia I missed your comment when you posted it six months ago and just now came across it. Thanks for going to the trouble of commenting even though English isn't your native language. I share your concern for Cooper's hawks in the yard. They visit us every day, and I filmed one eating a Robin last week.
We just moved to Tennessee and we keep hearing a bird that sounds like a fire alarm. Now I understand! This is their state bird and they are noisy little things in the morning. But, they always bring a smile to our faces. Thank you for sharing!
Those of us who can hear the mockingbird’s springtime music are lucky indeed. It wasn’t until we visited Texas that I discovered it, and decided that that alone was reason to move south.
Love your reason for moving, Angie! And I'm glad you enjoyed the movie. I plan to do one on all three of the mimics: Mockers, Gray Catbirds, and Brown Thrashers.
I was so excited when, for the first time, we had a Mockingbird courting females in our yard, where I could get lots of footage. At the same time, I was reading "The Genius of Birds", which explained why Mockers mimic. It was aa perfect coincidence. I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed the movie and generally appreciate my videos, Erik. Thanks for commenting.
Hi, Jo. I wanted to tell you that I had a rare visitor in my backyard for a couple of days last week. It was a red-headed woodpecker! We have plenty of red-bellied woodpeckers, but it was my first time for a red-headed one. He was back and forth from my suet feeder to a maple. Too bad it wasn't an oak, or he might've stayed longer. Anyway, it is somewhat akin to your seeing the mockingbirds. Congratulations! Your videos are terrific!
How I enjoyed your story, Erik, because I identify with it. I can get film of Red-bellies all I want, but in six years of filming, I've gotten one clip of a Red-headed and no other sightings. As for your congratulations on this movie and of all my movies, it's welcome praise. Thank you.
I have one near my house who sings every night around 10PM. Just after the local kids are done setting off their fireworks. He's so loud and never sings the same tune twice. Great vocal range too. The Freddie Mercury of the bird world!
I used this video to confirm what my I saw. I was out for a walk today and I hear what sounds like a hawk. I look around and I see a gray bird and the sound is coming from it. Out of nowhere a real hawk swoops in and the gray bird flies away, but it's screeching like a hawk. I couldn't believe it. Little did I know that that bird was a mockingbird
My pleasure, Meredith. I got most of the info for the script from a book called "the Genius of Birds" by Jennifer Ackerman, and I thought it was worth passing along.
I am a natural born musician. People say I play by ear. 10,000 hrs. Of practice later and I agreed with them. One morning I woke up to the sound of a bird singing. Singing every song bird and hawk and blue jays and what the heck is that?. My first encounter with the mockingbird taught me what and many who I am. Your narrative in this video is witness to my conclusions about musicians that play by ear. Natural phenomena.
I'm visiting Florida and have been blessed to witness (and hear) a male mockingbird for the first time in my life!! I'm totally in love with this bird. Thank you for such an informative video.
Aren't they a trip?! I've got half a dozen other movies about them, especially about how much they bully other birds. Most of them you can search for with "mockingbirds Alwood", but here's one that won't show up that way because it's not primarily about the mockingbird: th-cam.com/video/UEP6JLej1jA/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for creating this marvelous and informative video. I noticed one day that this bird was singing twenty five totally different songs before it would repeat any if them, which had me looking up in awe. You compressed so much valuable information in a small amount of time, just like the Mockingbird does--- and melodically too. I've been searching high and low for such a quality resource. That stunning bird deserves a Grammy, and you, a Nobel Prize. Thank you x 10. (Poet, Robert Laird).
I should have mentioned in my earlier reply that if you subscribe you have access to all my movies, which is more than 250. There's quite a bit of "Quality resource" there. 😉
Living here in Scottsdale Arizona. It's past midnight here and stepping outside I was rewarded, as long as I could tolerate, the Mockingbirds almost perfect non-stop act. Came inside and thirty minutes later, can hear him banging away at his routine outside through these walls. Good luck to him!
One spring, when I was still working, one chose to sing every night right outside our bedroom window. #$%^&* But otherwise, I love them. I also did a couple of movies about him chasing Starlings and other birds away from tray feeders and one more about him monopolizing the berries in a Serviceberry Tree. Oh, and another one about him getting his comeuppance from a flock of Robins decimating his crabapple stash. Lots of drama in a Mocker's life.
my neighbor’s children scream all the time when they play, and one day i was out in my hammock (on the opposite side of the house) and heard the screaming above me in the trees. I saw a gray bird up high, must’ve been one of these dudes that picked up the noise!
Thank you so much for putting this video together and sharing with the World. I live in Riverside, CA. We are full of Mockingbirds. We have a region just outside the City known as Mockingbird Canyon. We're all lovers of our Mockingbirds !! Mine do the cat meow constantly and we neighbors love it! Oh and I also love you're voice. Look into VO if you're interested. Bye
I loved hearing from you about your Mockers, Liz! Now you gotta check out some of my other mockingbird videos. They show the character of this charming bully we love. (Just search YT for mockingbirds Alwood.) And it's nice to hear that you like listening to my voice. Thanks. What is VO?
I was thinking of you today. I was excited to see your movie pop up!! I will just say , I think this movie is fascinating!! I learned so much about the mockingbird. Loved this movie 😃💖
Believe it or not, I almost didn't publish this movie. My husband is my honest, intelligent critic--and in this rare instance, he gave the first draft a thumbs down-- because it was too long and too technical. I knew he was right so I put it on the back burner. In the end, unable to abandon all that lovely footage and interesting info, I pruned the script and added more jazzy metaphors. Those changes salvaged the movie, and a comment like yours validates my decision to keep working with it. Thank you, Pamela. By the way, you might be interested to know that I'm on a fixed publishing schedule now: a new short movie every other Tuesday at 9:00 central and a compilation of short, older movies every third Friday.
Thanks, Cathy. Believe it or not, I almost didn't publish this movie. My husband is my honest, intelligent critic, and in this rare instance, he gave the first draft a thumbs down because it was too long and too technical. I knew he was right so I put it on the back burner. In the end, unable to abandon all that lovely footage and interesting info, I pruned the script and added more jazzy metaphors. Those changes salvaged the movie, and a comment like yours validates my decision to keep working with it.
I have been trying to figure out what type of bird teases my dogs out in the backyard. I have gotten some good looks at the feathers and took me a minute and I figured out it most resembles a mocking bird. After watching your video this confirms the behavior I am seeing! How funny! It does this same taunting behavior at my dogs in the backyard flapping wings and teasing my dogs to chase it then flying off! HOW FUNNY! This was a great video! Thank you!
I’m in Texas and I live outside of the city thankfully. We have a few different bird families in our yard (and a hawk and some crows that visit as well) . I love watching and listening to these birds. They’re so interesting
Those Mockingbirds intrigue me. I've done, I don't know for sure, five or six videos about them--mostly about how bossy they are. But I filmed them getting their comeuppance when a flock of Cedar Waxwings demolished the berries on a holly tree that the Mockingbird considered to be HIS.
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME that is so neat! I was checking out my tomatoes yesterday and one of them decided to perch on the fence and let me know I was in their space I suppose ! He sang some tunes and flew away. Birds are so interesting!
@@CC-lm1tw I think, mockingbirds in particular interest us because they’re such showoffs. When I was growing up, my mother used to get so excited when she saw one at the top of a telephone pole, jumping into the air as it sang. She’d be happy to know that I get just as excited about that these days when I see it.
Well if you would type “mockingbird Alwood” into the TH-cam search box, you will find that I’ve done several movies about mockingbirds that I bet you’d appreciate.
The information about the dangers Mockingbirds face for their mimicry made me appreciate them all the more. It's nice to know you share my admiration for them, Lisa.
Since we moved to South Carolina in 1995, I have been fascinated by these birds. Invariably, one is sitting on a high branch or pole, singing song after song without tiring! They were nasty to our cat and would chase her across the lawn. I swear, we had one bird that could match a pitch or a short tune if I whistled it. Try whistling the next time you have one nearby and see how it responds - maybe not by imitation, but by changing his tune.
I wish we got them as often as you do, Larry. But once in awhile we get one in the yard for the season, and they are a trip! I'll remember your suggestion about whistling for them.As for chasing your cat, I've read that they even sometimes pluck a cat's fur for nest lining. I have five or six movies about what bullies they are. Bullies, yes. Fun, YES. (Sorry to be slow responding. I've been out of town.)
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME - I really enjoyed your explanation of the male bird behavior. As a musician, I have admired their seemingly endless repertoire of sounds: chirps, tweets, warbles, etc. Here's my video of my now-deceased cat being attacked by a mockingbird! th-cam.com/video/bKO-sLTM-pI/w-d-xo.html
@@larryshackley8074 The video was fun, especially the slomo where I could distinguish the mocker's tail and most especially the list of who doesn't star in the vid.
I don't know about this. It would totally make sense if the female mockingbird does NOT sing. But, she DOES sing, but a bit quieter. (And that reduction in volume might not be deliberate. It could result only from her slightly smaller body-size.)
And all mockingbirds' attempts at mimicking YOUR song don't have nearly enough sweetness. If the mockingbirds, could sing like you, they'd sing much sweeter than they do.
Hi, Berta. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. I gathered all this info from a book I've been reading called "The Genius of Birds". I came across the section about Mockingbirds just about the time that we had a male Mocker start singing in our yard every day. That's the first time we've ever had one doing his courting on our property. It was a serendipitous combo--his arrival and the info in the book.
Last year a Cooper's hawk flew in my yard & strangled one of my Mockingbirds. He tore out all of her feathers & then flew away with her in his grip. I felt so helpless. It took so long! All of the other birds were squawking & flying around. There is simply nothing you can do to stop it! I think it was you that said " This isn't a Disney movie." Thanks-
That's quite a story, Teresa. I once saw a Cooper's grab a Mourning Dove right outside our window and fly away with it, but your experience was much more ... what? brutal? Yes, I did say it's not a Disney world out there, and it isn't.
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME You are so right Jo, but I give so much credit & love to those birds who kept swooping down at the hawk, I suppose trying scare him off from the horror that was happening.? I'm so sorry about your Dove. Yea, nature can be brutal. Keep up the great work! You are important to us!
I can't say I felt the dove was "mine". It was just an anonymous bird, but I dislike watching suffering. Guess I'm a bit too tenderhearted for observing the natural world. I have to remind myself that the birds a hawk gets aren't all sweetie pies either. Mockingbirds are bullies. Lots of birds, like the brave Bluejays who were probably mobbing that hawk, will eat the eggs and nestlings of other birds. Anyway, thanks for letting me know that my videos matter to you. I appreciate the sentiment.
Had a hawk fly right down in front of my porch where I was sitting watching birds eat seeds and snatch a finch and fly off! Circle of life came to mind!
Hi, thanks for the great video. We live in northern Az, in the juniper forests, where we see these all summer. I recognized them from their singing, but thanks to your video I now know that they are also the bird with white stripes on it's wings. Thank you for helping me bring it together.
Your comment made me smile--Glad to help. You might enjoy this comment I got from another viewer: "I used this video to confirm what my ears and eyes heard. I was out for a walk today and I hear what sounds like a hawk. I look around and I see a gray bird and the sound is coming from it. Out of nowhere a real hawk swoops in and the gray bird flies away, but it's screeching like a hawk. I couldn't believe it. Little did I know that that bird was a mockingbird". If you should happen to want to know more about them, my name and mockingbird into the TH-cam Search box. I've got three more films, all showing what a bossy sumbitch he can be.
This is the Texas state bird. Living in Texas I can confirm this bird is fierce I've seen them chase hawks and take on snakes. And on a short note they will mimic and sing all day long.
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Hey Jo. Yes we have Bluethroat, Starlings, Icterine Warbler and Marsh Warbler as I can remember. We also have some birds who speak dialect. Very interesting themes. Best regards, Knut.
Thanks for the video! Just rescued a young fledgling NM in Hawaii! Do the females also vocalize like this? And should I release it where I know there are others or will it naturally find them?
No, female Mockingbirds don't sing like the males. Lots of female songbirds occasionally sing--my movie about Cardinals nesting shows one belting out a tune--but the male Mocker's repertoire is much too extensive for a female to copy. It would take too much practice. I would guess, as far as releasing the injured bird, that anyplace in the vicinity where you found it would be good enough. If the bird can fly, it will know where it wants to go.
Believe it or not, I almost didn't publish this movie. My husband is my honest, intelligent critic--and in this rare instance, he gave the first draft a thumbs down-- because it was too long and too technical. I knew he was right so I put it on the back burner. In the end, unable to abandon all that lovely footage and interesting info, I pruned the script and added more jazzy metaphors. Those changes salvaged the movie, and a comment like yours validates my decision to keep working with it. Thanks for your comment, Travi.
Our local mockingbird sang all night for most of the summer. One day I saw a pile of feathers in my lawn and the mockingbird was no more, I assumed a cat hat gotten him but thinking back perhaps it was a hawk, I see Coopers Hawks on an old dead tree a couple houses away perched quite often watching.
Were you sort of grateful to be rid of the night time singer (especially since Cooper's hawks have to eat too), sorry to lose your Mockingbird, or merely interested in how Nature was working?
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME I can't believe you said it but being honest, yes, it was great to sleep in peace again. It's hard to admit and I feel guilty thinking this but it's the truth. Also that same mockingbird would attack our cat even though he wanted nothing to do with it or it's nest... I even got assaulted a few times and I think I shot a cell phone video of it. We have a local mockinbird now, not sure why but it's much better behaved and doesn't terrorize the yard. One thing the birds love are my blueberries, the holly tree they'll eat but it doesn't seem to be a favorite. Also pokeweed and those purple berries, they munch on those as well. I'm having a good time on days I don't feel like driving I watch my backyard birds from a hunting blind I setup on my deck, the birds still see me but they do come closer. I wish my house had suitable windows/angles to watch more from inside and even take photos but the birds would be backlit.
@@robwasnj Oh, I get the 'guilt trip' over your good night's sleep. Would it help if I told you I absolved you of your guilt? 😉 the reason I have the right to offer that is .. no reason really, except that I think your reaction was so normal. I sympathize that your windows all show you the birds backlit only. What a shame! And don't those birds love berries?! Elderberries, pokeberries, beauty berries, chokeberries, serviceberries, mulberries, cherries, wild grapes, winterberries. The more berries, the more birds.
You're welcome, Lily, and thank you. I had been reading a book called The Genius of Birds, and the author Jennifer Ackerman devoted considerable time to Mockingbirds. She inspired me to make this movie.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it, Kevin. Anyone who has watched birds much - and listened to them - has to have wondered why Mockingbirds mimic so much. I enjoyed doing the reading that answered that question and passing along what I learned.
I fell in love with an injured female mockingbird about 3 years ago. She was missing a foot. She had lots of trouble balancing on tree branches and telephone wires. She would come to me when I whistled knowing I would feed her. I worried so much about her. Then one day a male showed up. He defended her many times as she was often feeding on the ground. He would come too when I whistled but was more cautious than her and kept a protective distance. Four days ago I heard a hawk attack. I heard the loud swooshing of wings and I knew, I just knew the hawk had attacked my sweet girl. Her mate and I called and looked for her for two days. He sang his heart out while perched high in a walnut tree. I had never heard him sing before. He stayed in his sentry position even while it poured down rain. I saw him hopping all around her favorite bush calling for her. He now comes when I whistle but I can tell he is looking for her to come too and it’s if he is looking at me for answers. I found the spot of her attack and her beautiful feathers were scattered in a perfect circle. Her mate no longer seems to be searching for her and he has quit singing. I have taken down my feeders as I didn’t realize I had unknowingly attracted this predator to my yard. I don’t know if her mate loved her because of her injury or in spite of it. I hope he stays.
What a story! I was especially struck by the detail of her feathers scattered in a perfect circle. We feed the birds, attract many of them, and ... get hawks on a regular basis. I filmed a Cooper's eating a Robin last week. But I don't get so upset because I"m not personally attached to any particular bird.
A friend is typing on my behalf because of carpal tunnel issues. I do appreciate your comment and hopefully in the future I may reply myself. Thank you!
These guys are the honey Badgers of the avian world. . 2 years ago/Florida keys (lived): commotion outside (imagine how loud a bunch of birds have to be to get you outside ...🧐).. I go outside. Huge red-tailed hawk attacking mourning dove nest (peak of our roof). Doves watching from afar, nothing they could do. 7 Crows and 2 mockingbirds, dive bombing, screeching, buzzing, just mobbing the hawk relentlessly. Hawk has to leave, all 9 of the birds chased'em off, and kept on right after him! I swore i was on national geographic..!! Never looked at crows, nor mocking birds the same. Thing is, the mockingbirds were completely dwarfed by the crows, imagine what they looked like next to the hawk..👀 But, they didn't care. Their agility dwarfed the crows. Loud ass fuck too... Love those birds...😍😍😍
These look nothing like our Mockingbirds in Colorado. Ours are black, huge, the size of a large crow, with great white streaks down the top of the wing and a cobalt blue patch on the back at the base of the neck.
That doesn't ring a bell with me, Kristine, sounds more like a Black-billed Magpie maybe? Here's a link to a movie I made about Magpies, just in case my guess is right: th-cam.com/video/5A1l7hnJscw/w-d-xo.html
I know what you're talking about, Lisa. Indeed I do. In fact, I've made three movies about the bullying ways of the Mockers. If you have any interest in seeing them, you can just type "Mockingbirds Alwood" into the YT search box.
Thanks for all those hearts. In fact, they got me to watch this old movie again, which I haven't done in ages. I will say that there's plenty of good info in it. Thanks for commenting.
So, the mockingbird's song is a form of virtue signalling? An otherwise largely meaningless display is used to convey a message about overall health and vitality?
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME No, I'm asking if this is an example of virtue signaling (as used in evolutionary science, not social science). It seems like a good example, but I'm not sure the term fits.
@@GregConquest Since I've never heard of virtue signaling, I'm afraid I can't enlighten you one way or the other, Greg. I gathered my information about why mockingbirds mimic from Jennifer Ackerman's book The Genius of Birds. (I could even give you page numbers if you cared to have them.) Let me know if you figure it out one way or the other.
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Thanks for the reply. I thought I had read that there was a biological phenomenon called "virtue signalling" that was the basis for the very common political phenomenon of the same name., but I'm having a hard time finding this now. Biological virtue signalling was, if I understood it correctly, when an animal displayed features or behavior that demonstrated a deeper fitness. For example, straight, lustrous hair does not make a woman any better at bearing and raising children, but a woman who does not have a steady, healthy diet will not be able to grow such hair. So, individual animals may choose to display such inessential traits as a way of signaling that they have good genetics and are healthy. If memory serves, this was also the case with peacocks and their beautiful tails. The mimicry of the mockingbird fits this pattern. I'll keep checking to see if I can find this, or maybe someone else will know what I'm referring to, if I have made a mistake.
I have just come across your videos today in looking for something else (about flickers.) I’ve watched a few so far and am already hooked! I love how these are informative and at the same time laced with light-hearted humor.
When I lived in Providence there was a mockingbird who would keep me company all day long, every day, perched in a short tree and belting out (and showing off) his extensive repertoire. I fell in love with the spunky little guy. I grew up with them in Baltimore, too-strangely, I have yet to come across any in Connecticut (though I have many other varieties to keep me entertained!)
When you said at the end of this video that the birds sing not just because they’re programmed to do so but also because they enjoy it, that filled me with indescribable joy-to where my eyes filled with tears. You just made my day. I always felt as though that were so but thought perhaps I was anthropomorphising. Thank you so much and look forward to more watching!
I'm an early riser, but this morning I couldn't sleep and got up an hour early--to find your comment waiting for me. What a nice compliment; it's enough to make up for that lost hour of sleep! I enjoyed your story of a Mockingbird companion. Considering your fondness for them, why don't you search YT for Mockingbirds Jo Alwood? You'll find three more movies I've made about these unapologetic little tyrants. Thanks for commenting. (And, oh, I'm intrigued by your screen name.)
I enjoyed your comment so much that I read it to my husband. When I did, I noticed that I had missed the last paragraph! And it was worth reading because it's such a pleasure to learn that I gave you joy. I learned about Mockingbirds mimicking and about serotonin from a book by Jennifer Ackerman called "The Genius of Birds." On the other hand, I learned from a zoologist who specializes in insects that butterflies flitting joyfully around trying to attract a mate probably have brains too small to register joy. But as I commented, "If that seduction is only an evolutionary imperative for them, thank goodness our brains are developed enough to delight in watching them." I'm having so much fun learning about wildlife as I film it and as I pass along what nuggets of knowledge I've picked up.
I wanted to write something about my existing sight of a mb who flew just a meters over my head. I listen to this bird every day and I enjoy him so much. But my story pales compared to yours, some considerations I meant to mention are already yours, and my poor English is not very powerful. I can only share with you the appreciation for Jo narrative and my concerns for my new neighbor. Jo made me aware that the hawk, that I see once in a while and that has his nest 200 meters from the nest of my right now new favorite bird,is his predator. Hopefully he will be unnoticed but he is pretty loud!
@@berlusmafia I missed your comment when you posted it six months ago and just now came across it. Thanks for going to the trouble of commenting even though English isn't your native language. I share your concern for Cooper's hawks in the yard. They visit us every day, and I filmed one eating a Robin last week.
We just moved to Tennessee and we keep hearing a bird that sounds like a fire alarm. Now I understand! This is their state bird and they are noisy little things in the morning. But, they always bring a smile to our faces. Thank you for sharing!
Oh yes, I always smile when I see one.
Those of us who can hear the mockingbird’s springtime music are lucky indeed. It wasn’t until we visited Texas that I discovered it, and decided that that alone was reason to move south.
Love your reason for moving, Angie! And I'm glad you enjoyed the movie. I plan to do one on all three of the mimics: Mockers, Gray Catbirds, and Brown Thrashers.
3 years later, & 3 in the morning. I'm on this video because a mocking bird is singing in the dead of night!
I learn so much from these well-written and narrated videos. The sights and sounds of the birds are just gorgeous. Thank you!
I was so excited when, for the first time, we had a Mockingbird courting females in our yard, where I could get lots of footage. At the same time, I was reading "The Genius of Birds", which explained why Mockers mimic. It was aa perfect coincidence. I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed the movie and generally appreciate my videos, Erik. Thanks for commenting.
Hi, Jo. I wanted to tell you that I had a rare visitor in my backyard for a couple of days last week. It was a red-headed woodpecker! We have plenty of red-bellied woodpeckers, but it was my first time for a red-headed one. He was back and forth from my suet feeder to a maple. Too bad it wasn't an oak, or he might've stayed longer. Anyway, it is somewhat akin to your seeing the mockingbirds. Congratulations! Your videos are terrific!
How I enjoyed your story, Erik, because I identify with it. I can get film of Red-bellies all I want, but in six years of filming, I've gotten one clip of a Red-headed and no other sightings. As for your congratulations on this movie and of all my movies, it's welcome praise. Thank you.
I have one near my house who sings every night around 10PM. Just after the local kids are done setting off their fireworks. He's so loud and never sings the same tune twice. Great vocal range too. The Freddie Mercury of the bird world!
"Freddy Mercury of the bird world". Love it! I guess he found the right yard.
I used this video to confirm what my I saw. I was out for a walk today and I hear what sounds like a hawk. I look around and I see a gray bird and the sound is coming from it. Out of nowhere a real hawk swoops in and the gray bird flies away, but it's screeching like a hawk. I couldn't believe it. Little did I know that that bird was a mockingbird
Great story, Joey! Thanks for passing it along.
My favorite bird, even if he does belt it out at 1 am sometimes. Thanks for sharing. :)
My pleasure, Meredith. I got most of the info for the script from a book called "the Genius of Birds" by Jennifer Ackerman, and I thought it was worth passing along.
I am a natural born musician. People say I play by ear. 10,000 hrs. Of practice later and I agreed with them. One morning I woke up to the sound of a bird singing. Singing every song bird and hawk and blue jays and what the heck is that?. My first encounter with the mockingbird taught me what and many who I am. Your narrative in this video is witness to my conclusions about musicians that play by ear. Natural phenomena.
Right. Natural talent and 10,000 hours of practice do a good musician make.
I'm visiting Florida and have been blessed to witness (and hear) a male mockingbird for the first time in my life!! I'm totally in love with this bird. Thank you for such an informative video.
Aren't they a trip?! I've got half a dozen other movies about them, especially about how much they bully other birds. Most of them you can search for with "mockingbirds Alwood", but here's one that won't show up that way because it's not primarily about the mockingbird: th-cam.com/video/UEP6JLej1jA/w-d-xo.html
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Thanks! I'll check them out!!
Thank you for creating this marvelous and informative video. I noticed one day that this bird was singing twenty five totally different songs before it would repeat any if them, which had me looking up in awe. You compressed so much valuable information in a small amount of time, just like the Mockingbird does--- and melodically too. I've been searching high and low for such a quality resource. That stunning bird deserves a Grammy, and you, a Nobel Prize. Thank you x 10. (Poet, Robert Laird).
I'd settle for a few hundred thousand subscribers. But I will say this; you're a subscriber I value. Thanks for all of the kind words, Mr. Poet.
I should have mentioned in my earlier reply that if you subscribe you have access to all my movies, which is more than 250. There's quite a bit of "Quality resource" there. 😉
Living here in Scottsdale Arizona. It's past midnight here and stepping outside I was rewarded, as long as I could tolerate, the Mockingbirds almost perfect non-stop act. Came inside and thirty minutes later, can hear him banging away at his routine outside through these walls. Good luck to him!
One spring, when I was still working, one chose to sing every night right outside our bedroom window. #$%^&* But otherwise, I love them. I also did a couple of movies about him chasing Starlings and other birds away from tray feeders and one more about him monopolizing the berries in a Serviceberry Tree. Oh, and another one about him getting his comeuppance from a flock of Robins decimating his crabapple stash. Lots of drama in a Mocker's life.
my neighbor’s children scream all the time when they play, and one day i was out in my hammock (on the opposite side of the house) and heard the screaming above me in the trees. I saw a gray bird up high, must’ve been one of these dudes that picked up the noise!
Good story! Thanks for passing it along.
Mockingbirds set up a nest in my yard and I am so excited!! 😊😊
Lucky you. Enjoy!
Terrific job, thanks for the even keeled and delightful story of the way the mockingbird!
I appreciate the compliment, Walt. Even keeled is a good description of the tone I aim for.
Thank you so much for putting this video together and sharing with the World. I live in Riverside, CA. We are full of Mockingbirds. We have a region just outside the City known as Mockingbird Canyon. We're all lovers of our Mockingbirds !! Mine do the cat meow constantly and we neighbors love it! Oh and I also love you're voice. Look into VO if you're interested. Bye
I loved hearing from you about your Mockers, Liz! Now you gotta check out some of my other mockingbird videos. They show the character of this charming bully we love. (Just search YT for mockingbirds Alwood.) And it's nice to hear that you like listening to my voice. Thanks. What is VO?
I was thinking of you today. I was excited to see your movie pop up!! I will just say , I think this movie is fascinating!! I learned so much about the mockingbird. Loved this movie 😃💖
Believe it or not, I almost didn't publish this movie. My husband is my honest, intelligent critic--and in this rare instance, he gave the first draft a thumbs down-- because it was too long and too technical. I knew he was right so I put it on the back burner. In the end, unable to abandon all that lovely footage and interesting info, I pruned the script and added more jazzy metaphors. Those changes salvaged the movie, and a comment like yours validates my decision to keep working with it. Thank you, Pamela. By the way, you might be interested to know that I'm on a fixed publishing schedule now: a new short movie every other Tuesday at 9:00 central and a compilation of short, older movies every third Friday.
That is wonderful news !! 😄😀😁
A favorite I admire Jo for all the traits you mention. An impressive songster with a few licks of his own. Thank you for another wonderful film!
Thanks, Cathy. Believe it or not, I almost didn't publish this movie. My husband is my honest, intelligent critic, and in this rare instance, he gave the first draft a thumbs down because it was too long and too technical. I knew he was right so I put it on the back burner. In the end, unable to abandon all that lovely footage and interesting info, I pruned the script and added more jazzy metaphors. Those changes salvaged the movie, and a comment like yours validates my decision to keep working with it.
I'm glad you returned to it Jo and always happy to support the fascinating research and beauty that you share (however long it is)!
@@quote_nature I appreciate the vote of confidence, Cathy. Thanks.
I have been trying to figure out what type of bird teases my dogs out in the backyard. I have gotten some good looks at the feathers and took me a minute and I figured out it most resembles a mocking bird. After watching your video this confirms the behavior I am seeing! How funny! It does this same taunting behavior at my dogs in the backyard flapping wings and teasing my dogs to chase it then flying off! HOW FUNNY! This was a great video! Thank you!
I'm happy to hear you liked it so much. If you'll search "mockingbirds Alwood" on TH-cam, you'll find several other movies that show his character.
I’m in Texas and I live outside of the city thankfully. We have a few different bird families in our yard (and a hawk and some crows that visit as well) . I love watching and listening to these birds. They’re so interesting
Those Mockingbirds intrigue me. I've done, I don't know for sure, five or six videos about them--mostly about how bossy they are. But I filmed them getting their comeuppance when a flock of Cedar Waxwings demolished the berries on a holly tree that the Mockingbird considered to be HIS.
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME that is so neat! I was checking out my tomatoes yesterday and one of them decided to perch on the fence and let me know I was in their space I suppose ! He sang some tunes and flew away. Birds are so interesting!
@@CC-lm1tw I think, mockingbirds in particular interest us because they’re such showoffs. When I was growing up, my mother used to get so excited when she saw one at the top of a telephone pole, jumping into the air as it sang. She’d be happy to know that I get just as excited about that these days when I see it.
I’m no bird watcher but Love mockingbirds . Thank you 🙏🏻 for this information !👍
Well if you would type “mockingbird Alwood” into the TH-cam search box, you will find that I’ve done several movies about mockingbirds that I bet you’d appreciate.
These birds are incredible and so sweet. Thank you for sharing. I love your videos!
The information about the dangers Mockingbirds face for their mimicry made me appreciate them all the more. It's nice to know you share my admiration for them, Lisa.
Since we moved to South Carolina in 1995, I have been fascinated by these birds. Invariably, one is sitting on a high branch or pole, singing song after song without tiring! They were nasty to our cat and would chase her across the lawn. I swear, we had one bird that could match a pitch or a short tune if I whistled it. Try whistling the next time you have one nearby and see how it responds - maybe not by imitation, but by changing his tune.
I wish we got them as often as you do, Larry. But once in awhile we get one in the yard for the season, and they are a trip! I'll remember your suggestion about whistling for them.As for chasing your cat, I've read that they even sometimes pluck a cat's fur for nest lining. I have five or six movies about what bullies they are. Bullies, yes. Fun, YES. (Sorry to be slow responding. I've been out of town.)
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME - I really enjoyed your explanation of the male bird behavior. As a musician, I have admired their seemingly endless repertoire of sounds: chirps, tweets, warbles, etc. Here's my video of my now-deceased cat being attacked by a mockingbird! th-cam.com/video/bKO-sLTM-pI/w-d-xo.html
@@larryshackley8074 The video was fun, especially the slomo where I could distinguish the mocker's tail and most especially the list of who doesn't star in the vid.
I don't know about this. It would totally make sense if the female mockingbird does NOT sing. But, she DOES sing, but a bit quieter. (And that reduction in volume might not be deliberate. It could result only from her slightly smaller body-size.)
And all mockingbirds' attempts at mimicking YOUR song don't have nearly enough sweetness. If the mockingbirds, could sing like you, they'd sing much sweeter than they do.
Excellent! Love these birds & never knew this. Thank you!
Hi, Berta. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. I gathered all this info from a book I've been reading called "The Genius of Birds". I came across the section about Mockingbirds just about the time that we had a male Mocker start singing in our yard every day. That's the first time we've ever had one doing his courting on our property. It was a serendipitous combo--his arrival and the info in the book.
Last year a Cooper's hawk flew in my yard & strangled one of my Mockingbirds. He tore out all of her feathers & then flew away with her in his grip. I felt so helpless. It took so long! All of the other birds were squawking & flying around. There is simply nothing you can do to stop it! I think it was you that said " This isn't a Disney movie." Thanks-
That's quite a story, Teresa. I once saw a Cooper's grab a Mourning Dove right outside our window and fly away with it, but your experience was much more ... what? brutal? Yes, I did say it's not a Disney world out there, and it isn't.
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME You are so right Jo, but I give so much credit & love to those birds who kept swooping down at the hawk, I suppose trying scare him off from the horror that was happening.? I'm so sorry about your Dove. Yea, nature can be brutal. Keep up the great work! You are important to us!
I can't say I felt the dove was "mine". It was just an anonymous bird, but I dislike watching suffering. Guess I'm a bit too tenderhearted for observing the natural world. I have to remind myself that the birds a hawk gets aren't all sweetie pies either. Mockingbirds are bullies. Lots of birds, like the brave Bluejays who were probably mobbing that hawk, will eat the eggs and nestlings of other birds. Anyway, thanks for letting me know that my videos matter to you. I appreciate the sentiment.
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOMEOh yea! I mean "mine" as in my yard. And you are very much welcome!
Had a hawk fly right down in front of my porch where I was sitting watching birds eat seeds and snatch a finch and fly off! Circle of life came to mind!
Hi, thanks for the great video. We live in northern Az, in the juniper forests, where we see these all summer. I recognized them from their singing, but thanks to your video I now know that they are also the bird with white stripes on it's wings. Thank you for helping me bring it together.
Your comment made me smile--Glad to help. You might enjoy this comment I got from another viewer: "I used this video to confirm what my ears and eyes heard. I was out for a walk today and I hear what sounds like a hawk. I look around and I see a gray bird and the sound is coming from it. Out of nowhere a real hawk swoops in and the gray bird flies away, but it's screeching like a hawk. I couldn't believe it. Little did I know that that bird was a mockingbird". If you should happen to want to know more about them, my name and mockingbird into the TH-cam
Search box. I've got three more films, all showing what a bossy sumbitch he can be.
This is the Texas state bird. Living in Texas I can confirm this bird is fierce I've seen them chase hawks and take on snakes. And on a short note they will mimic and sing all day long.
I do love those Mockingbirds too. If you type Mockingbird Alwood in the YT search box, you'll see proof of that.
Very beautiful and interesting movie Jo. Enjoyed watching and listening.
Have a great weekend.
Best regards, Knut.
Do you have birds that mimic in Norway, Knut? We have the Mockingbird, the Brown Thrasher, and the Gray Catbird.
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME
Hey Jo. Yes we have Bluethroat, Starlings, Icterine Warbler and Marsh Warbler as I can remember. We also have some birds who speak dialect. Very interesting themes.
Best regards, Knut.
@@knutfugl You have warblers that mimic? I wasn't expecting to hear that.
Incredible instincts! Thank you for sharing!
My pleasure, Claudio.
Thanks for the video! Just rescued a young fledgling NM in Hawaii! Do the females also vocalize like this? And should I release it where I know there are others or will it naturally find them?
No, female Mockingbirds don't sing like the males. Lots of female songbirds occasionally sing--my movie about Cardinals nesting shows one belting out a tune--but the male Mocker's repertoire is much too extensive for a female to copy. It would take too much practice. I would guess, as far as releasing the injured bird, that anyplace in the vicinity where you found it would be good enough. If the bird can fly, it will know where it wants to go.
We call these catbirds where I'm from. It's my most favorite little bird in the world.💛🐦
Another great video. Thank you Jo!
Believe it or not, I almost didn't publish this movie. My husband is my honest, intelligent critic--and in this rare instance, he gave the first draft a thumbs down-- because it was too long and too technical. I knew he was right so I put it on the back burner. In the end, unable to abandon all that lovely footage and interesting info, I pruned the script and added more jazzy metaphors. Those changes salvaged the movie, and a comment like yours validates my decision to keep working with it. Thanks for your comment, Travi.
Our local mockingbird sang all night for most of the summer. One day I saw a pile of feathers in my lawn and the mockingbird was no more, I assumed a cat hat gotten him but thinking back perhaps it was a hawk, I see Coopers Hawks on an old dead tree a couple houses away perched quite often watching.
Were you sort of grateful to be rid of the night time singer (especially since Cooper's hawks have to eat too), sorry to lose your Mockingbird, or merely interested in how Nature was working?
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME I can't believe you said it but being honest, yes, it was great to sleep in peace again. It's hard to admit and I feel guilty thinking this but it's the truth. Also that same mockingbird would attack our cat even though he wanted nothing to do with it or it's nest... I even got assaulted a few times and I think I shot a cell phone video of it. We have a local mockinbird now, not sure why but it's much better behaved and doesn't terrorize the yard. One thing the birds love are my blueberries, the holly tree they'll eat but it doesn't seem to be a favorite. Also pokeweed and those purple berries, they munch on those as well. I'm having a good time on days I don't feel like driving I watch my backyard birds from a hunting blind I setup on my deck, the birds still see me but they do come closer. I wish my house had suitable windows/angles to watch more from inside and even take photos but the birds would be backlit.
@@robwasnj Oh, I get the 'guilt trip' over your good night's sleep. Would it help if I told you I absolved you of your guilt? 😉 the reason I have the right to offer that is .. no reason really, except that I think your reaction was so normal. I sympathize that your windows all show you the birds backlit only. What a shame! And don't those birds love berries?! Elderberries, pokeberries, beauty berries, chokeberries, serviceberries, mulberries, cherries, wild grapes, winterberries. The more berries, the more birds.
@@robwasnj Oh, and speaking of berries, did you see this film about Mockingbirds and berries? th-cam.com/video/bNieFyUZYvE/w-d-xo.html
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Here is the gory video too th-cam.com/video/7LR1yAo0e68/w-d-xo.html
I always get a kick out of the mockingbirds mimicking car alarms in my neighborhood
Mockingbird da bes. They are a lot prettier when their feathers are all grown out too. Not only talented but beautiful.
Agreed on all counts.
Thanks jo for this video. I googlef this question and your wonderful video popped up ❤
And so now you know, YouNeverKnow. And if you have any other bird questions, check me out. I have tons of these videos. Thanks for commenting.
OMG... they're like "do it, you won't!" -- They learn all their songs so they can impress the ladies.
Yep, they literally risk their lives to impress the ladies.
I thoroughly enjoyed this - thank you for making it. :)
My pleasure. I learned a lot in the process.
Thank you for another informing and entertaining piece.
You're welcome, Lily, and thank you. I had been reading a book called The Genius of Birds, and the author Jennifer Ackerman devoted considerable time to Mockingbirds. She inspired me to make this movie.
I loved your narration
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it, Kevin. Anyone who has watched birds much - and listened to them - has to have wondered why Mockingbirds mimic so much. I enjoyed doing the reading that answered that question and passing along what I learned.
Aww, I love Mocking birds!! ❤💕
I understand. 👍
I fell in love with an injured female mockingbird about 3 years ago. She was missing a foot. She had lots of trouble balancing on tree branches and telephone wires. She would come to me when I whistled knowing I would feed her. I worried so much about her. Then one day a male showed up. He defended her many times as she was often feeding on the ground. He would come too when I whistled but was more cautious than her and kept a protective distance. Four days ago I heard a hawk attack. I heard the loud swooshing of wings and I knew, I just knew the hawk had attacked my sweet girl. Her mate and I called and looked for her for two days. He sang his heart out while perched high in a walnut tree. I had never heard him sing before. He stayed in his sentry position even while it poured down rain. I saw him hopping all around her favorite bush calling for her. He now comes when I whistle but I can tell he is looking for her to come too and it’s if he is looking at me for answers. I found the spot of her attack and her beautiful feathers were scattered in a perfect circle. Her mate no longer seems to be searching for her and he has quit singing. I have taken down my feeders as I didn’t realize I had unknowingly attracted this predator to my yard. I don’t know if her mate loved her because of her injury or in spite of it. I hope he stays.
What a story! I was especially struck by the detail of her feathers scattered in a perfect circle. We feed the birds, attract many of them, and ... get hawks on a regular basis. I filmed a Cooper's eating a Robin last week. But I don't get so upset because I"m not personally attached to any particular bird.
Thanks for your narration, i learned a lot
My pleasure, Bob.
Wow a female mockingbird has higher standards than your average modern day woman
Haha. Well, that's one way to look at it, though I must say that I had very high standards and found a husband worthy of them. 😉
I have heard Mocking birds quack like a duck.
That would be fun!!
Yeah, one of mine went from imitating a barn owl one day to imitating a fire truck the next. What are you going to do?
Enjoy them, that's what you do. 😊
She doesn't settle for a drunk on a karaoke stage.... LOL!
Haha. I'd forgotten about that line. You get my brand of humor, I see. Thanks for picking that line out and giving me a chuckle.
Love it ;-)
Everybody loves Mockingbirds, right, Jimmi? So a movie that explains their behavior is worth watching. Thanks for commenting.
How can I tell the difference between male and female in Mockingbird?.
If I hear one singing, I assume it's a male. Otherwise, I can't tell any difference. The sexes look alike.
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Thank you, so much I can`t wait to see the babes. I feel like I am going to be a grandfather 😄
Hey "Grandpa," you just gave me a wide grin.
I heard some bachelor's cantata at 2am here while trying to pee... sometimes they imitate the frogs from the local lake =_= so silly
Yes, I've experienced those two a.m. songsters. #$%^&* But you gotta love 'em anyway, silliness and all.
Good video.
A friend is typing on my behalf because of carpal tunnel issues. I do appreciate your comment and hopefully in the future I may reply myself. Thank you!
we had one around that did a cellphone ring.
How funny. There's no telling what they'll pick up.
A drunk on a karaoke stage 😂🤣. Love your videos Jo!
Coming up with zingers like that is one of the joys of this hobby, Lisa. Thanks.
Most of the day and at times most of the night! Not to bad unless it’s outside your bedroom window!
Oh, I know, Chuck. Been there!
U r THE BEST Jo🐥
Thank you!
These guys are the honey Badgers of the avian world.
.
2 years ago/Florida keys (lived): commotion outside (imagine how loud a bunch of birds have to be to get you outside ...🧐)..
I go outside.
Huge red-tailed hawk attacking mourning dove nest (peak of our roof).
Doves watching from afar, nothing they could do.
7 Crows and 2 mockingbirds, dive bombing, screeching, buzzing, just mobbing the hawk relentlessly.
Hawk has to leave, all 9 of the birds chased'em off, and kept on right after him!
I swore i was on national geographic..!!
Never looked at crows, nor mocking birds the same.
Thing is, the mockingbirds were completely dwarfed by the crows, imagine what they looked like next to the hawk..👀
But, they didn't care.
Their agility dwarfed the crows.
Loud ass fuck too...
Love those birds...😍😍😍
Great story! I call the mockers the local militia--armed only with beaks and brazen agility. Wish I'd been there with you.
These look nothing like our Mockingbirds in Colorado. Ours are black, huge, the size of a large crow, with great white streaks down the top of the wing and a cobalt blue patch on the back at the base of the neck.
That doesn't ring a bell with me, Kristine, sounds more like a Black-billed Magpie maybe? Here's a link to a movie I made about Magpies, just in case my guess is right: th-cam.com/video/5A1l7hnJscw/w-d-xo.html
I have one mockingbird that I have been able to see in my yard. He is or she is a bully. Lol They are always scrapping with the other birds..
I know what you're talking about, Lisa. Indeed I do. In fact, I've made three movies about the bullying ways of the Mockers. If you have any interest in seeing them, you can just type "Mockingbirds Alwood" into the YT search box.
Birds are way past us humans in that reguard. Us people..we'll take bout what ever is available close by.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Thanks for all those hearts. In fact, they got me to watch this old movie again, which I haven't done in ages. I will say that there's plenty of good info in it. Thanks for commenting.
Vidios de casal de sabiá da Praia cantando.
Gracias. No habla Espanol.
Apply this model to men and women and you'll understand what man and wife both want. 😀
Lotsa truth in that observation.
So, the mockingbird's song is a form of virtue signalling? An otherwise largely meaningless display is used to convey a message about overall health and vitality?
You're finding it hard to believe?
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME No, I'm asking if this is an example of virtue signaling (as used in evolutionary science, not social science). It seems like a good example, but I'm not sure the term fits.
@@GregConquest Since I've never heard of virtue signaling, I'm afraid I can't enlighten you one way or the other, Greg. I gathered my information about why mockingbirds mimic from Jennifer Ackerman's book The Genius of Birds. (I could even give you page numbers if you cared to have them.) Let me know if you figure it out one way or the other.
@@JoAlwoodBIRDSANDTHENSOME Thanks for the reply. I thought I had read that there was a biological phenomenon called "virtue signalling" that was the basis for the very common political phenomenon of the same name., but I'm having a hard time finding this now.
Biological virtue signalling was, if I understood it correctly, when an animal displayed features or behavior that demonstrated a deeper fitness. For example, straight, lustrous hair does not make a woman any better at bearing and raising children, but a woman who does not have a steady, healthy diet will not be able to grow such hair. So, individual animals may choose to display such inessential traits as a way of signaling that they have good genetics and are healthy.
If memory serves, this was also the case with peacocks and their beautiful tails. The mimicry of the mockingbird fits this pattern.
I'll keep checking to see if I can find this, or maybe someone else will know what I'm referring to, if I have made a mistake.