Northern Mockingbird

A rather dull and nondescript looking bird but what the Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, lacks in color is made up for in song and personality.

In 1929 ornithological writer Edward H. Forbush said, "The Mockingbird stands unrivaled. He is the king of song. . . . He equals and even excels the whole feathered choir. He improves upon most of the notes that he reproduces, adding also to his varied repertoire the crowing of chanticleer, and cackling of the hen, the barking of the house dog, the squeaking of the unoiled wheelbarrow, the postman's whistle. . . . He even imitates man's musical inventions." And, he quotes W. L. Dawson as saying he heard a mockingbird change its tune 87 times in 7 minutes and that he was able to recognize 58 of the imitations given.

This bird has even been known to imitate sounds such as barking dogs, cackling hens, rusty hinges, and whistling so well that even electronic analysis could not tell the difference between the bird's imitation and the original sounds.

Described as "audacious" because of its playful personality, fierce defense of its territory and colorful courtship dance. The Northern Mockingbird has few natural enemies because of the offensive (rather than defensive) stance it takes against its enemies.