Mockzilla, the extremely territorial Northern Mockingbird, was great fun to photograph during the recent snowstorm in Arkansas because she or he seemed calmer.
Northern Mockingbird in an Arkansas snowstorm – Canon R7, handheld, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 1000, +2.3 EV, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 300mm, natural light
Maybe it was the cold, the snow, or the fog, but for a few days, Mockzilla seemed less aggressive. She or he wasn’t chasing every bird that visited the feeders.
The mockingbird didn’t abandon her or his patrols entirely, but the pace slowed down noticeably. For a while.
The snow melted slowly, and as of yesterday evening, it was almost entirely gone here. As the snow disappeared, Mockzilla has resumed attacking the other birds again. The attacks aren’t as frequent as they were before the snowstorm, but I expect they will be again soon.
Mockzilla is a beautiful Northern Mockingbird, but I wish that she or he would realize that there is more than enough food for all the birds in the neighborhood. If only I could speak bird.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Northern Mockingbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
“Mockzilla” says it all! I’ve been popped by a few of them too…albeit many years ago. Yes…with apologies to Harper Lee, Mockingbirds can sure be mean-spirited. Thanks Mia.
I suspect you speak (or at least understand) more bird than most people. And a variety of dialects too.
is it their instinct that makes them aggressive or is it a specific trait to this kind of bird?
Patty, in Florida I was used to them being very aggressive during their breeding season, they even attack postal workers, dogs, and other people there during that time period. I’m not used to them being this territoriality aggressive for food though!