Funny Animal Encounter

[Nanci]

They don't have Mockingbirds up north, where I grew up and spent nearly 40 years of my life. When I moved to Florida, I quickly grew to appreciate these drab gray birds. You've heard the song "Listen to the mockingbird..." That is because what Mockingbirds do is sing. But not just any song; the Mockingbird knows up to 200 songs of other birds, amphibians, insects, and even mechanical noises. You can hear them singing before it is light out, and even after the sun has gone down. Sometimes a single male Mockingbird will sing almost all night, especially if there is a full moon! There is nothing better than having a Mockigbird pair in your yard. And if the singing weren't enough, there is the mysterious hunting behaviour. In the evening, the Mockingbird will alight in the grass. Then the bird will run forward quickly about five feet, then stop, with wings raised, pause, and repeat. This is now my very favorite bird, not counting pigeons.

Nanci