Mocking Bird

The state bird of Florida is the mocking bird. It is a medium sized bird, grey, black and white in colour and has many different songs. We are fortunate to have two families in our yard. They nest in low bushes at our place, normally in our pygmy date tree and make a neat nest of grass ans small twigs.

They are territorial and defend their area by vigorous and aggressive defence. They are insect eaters and perch on trees and our house until lunch flies by and they attack. Small gecko's also become a meal if they are not careful. They play fight our tinted windows and provide us with hours of enjoyment.

The mocking bird however is most noted for its variety of songs. During the mating season they sing constantly and their songs are varied and sometimes quite complicated. These birds become part of our daily life and we certainly would miss them if they moved away. We have had several hatching's and three or four youngsters emerge from the well protected nest.

Every morning at daybreak you can hear the wake up call of the Mocking Bird welcoming a new day in paradise.