Northern Mockingbird

[Bluffs Birder]

Hi All,

Yesterday afternoon I went for a walk through Scarborough Bluffs Park and as always came upon the Northern Mockingbirds that have taken up residence there.  Usually I can get quite close to the birds so I can watch and listen to them go through their repertoire of songs and calls.  As I was standing there watching and listening to one of them a Blue Jay was heard calling off in the distance.  The Mockingbird paused, turned his head in the direction of the call, then started "mocking" the Blue Jay's call.  I almost fell over in disbelief!!!  I don't know if the bird just learned the call right then or if it remembered it from before.  Has anyone else ever seen or heard this instantaneous reaction and response before?  I also recognized the sounds of Gulls in the Mockingbird's repertoire.  Very very interesting!!!!!

Happy Birding!
Bluffs Birder

[JTF]

Northern Mockingbirds are very good at mimicing other species. They have been known to imitate the songs of 20 or more species within 10 minutes.

[Bluffs Birder]

Hi JTF,

Sorry I guess my question wasn't clear, my fault.  Do they remember the calls that they have previously mimicked and use them again once they hear the call of that bird...as in this case, the Blue Jay?  Hope I'm clearer.

Happy Birding!