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By Jim Bywaters
Rappahannock News Writer
The Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is the most widely known songbird in America, but perhaps best known for its singing abilities. Not only can it perform 39 species’ songs and 50 call notes, but it also can mimic sounds such as that of a barking dog, squeaky hinges, notes from a piano and even a cackling hen.
It does this so expertly that even an electronic analysis could not tell the difference between the mockingbird and the original.
One call our local Mockingbird has learned is the “alarm call” used by our colony of Purple Martins. He does it so well he even fools the martins. The martins use this call to alert other martins of danger in the area, such as a hawk, cat, snake, etc.
When the call is heard all the martins flock together to defend their nests and young. The Mockingbird seems to enjoy it and has sent them on many false alarms recently.
Afterwards, the martins return to their housing and continue as they normally would.
In the spring and fall, you can hear the male mockingbirds sing their elaborate songs. This bird’s beautiful song is richest on warm, moonlit nights in spring, when the bird may spend hours giving amaz
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