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Northern Mockingbird


Northern Mockingbird
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3059 W: 231 N: 6139] (20984)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-04
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon Powershot S1-IS
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2006-06-08 3:31
Viewed: 1231
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos

Moqueur polyglotte (French)
Centzontle, Jilguero, Ruiseñor (Spanish)

The "American nightingale," the Northern Mockingbird is known for its long, complex songs that include imitations of many other birds. It is a common bird of hedgerows and suburbs, and has been slowly expanding its range northward.

Description:
Medium-sized songbird.
Long tail.
Pale gray above, whitish below.
Bill thin.
Two white wingbars.
Large white patches show in wings in flight.
White outer tail feathers.
Size: 21-26 cm (8-10 in)
Wingspan: 31-35 cm (12-14 in)
Weight: 45-58 g (1.59-2.05 ounces)

Sexes look alike.

Sound:
Song is a series of varied phrases, with each phrase repeated many times in a row. Includes much mimicry of other bird songs and calls. Call a harsh dry "chew."

Conservation Status:
Common and widespread. Populations may be declining in heart of the range, but range is expanding northward.

Cool Facts:

The Northern Mockingbird frequently gives a "wing flash" display, where it half or fully opens its wings in jerky intermediate steps, showing off the big white patches. No one knows why it does this behavior, but some have suggested that it startles insects into revealing themselves. However, it does not appear to flush insects, and other mockingbird species that do not have white wing patches use the display, casting doubt on this idea.
The Northern Mockingbird is a loud and persistent singer. It sings all through the day, and often into the night. Most nocturnal singers are unmated males, which sing more than mated males during the day too. Nighttime singing is more common during the full moon. In well-lit areas around people, even mated males may sing at night.
A Northern Mockingbird continues to add new sounds to its song repertoire throughout its life.
The Northern Mockingbird typically sings throughout most of the year, from February through August, and again from September to early November. A male may have two distinct repertoires of songs: one for spring and another for fall. One study found only a one percent overlap in song types used in spring and fall.
The female Northern Mockingbird sings too, although usually more quietly than the male does. She rarely sings in the summer, usually only when the male is away from the territory. She sings more in the fall, perhaps to establish a winter territory.

Source
valy67, elefantino, Evelynn, scottevers7, coasties, loot, Luc has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To loot: Thanks for the workshop : )manyee 1 06-10 02:35
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Critiques [Translate]

Nice shot ! I love the composition very much, with the bird and the branches against a clear blue sky, it is beautiful. Nice colors also, very natural, and nice POV. Very interesting note.
Well done !
Valérie.

Hi Manyee,
nice bird with a great light on the eye.
Andrea

Hello Manyee, excllent details, BG, POV, DOF, great Job, TFS Kyle

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1109 W: 5 N: 3453] (12751)
  • [2006-06-08 18:50]

Hola Manyee.- Bella foto de este "Cenzontle" En Nahuatl (El lenguaje de los antiguos Aztecas)quiere decir "Pajaro de las cuatrocientas voces" Saludos Luis52.

Hi ManYee,

I like the composition you captured on this one. I suppose a lot is left to chance when you photograph birds. Now that I have a camera without so much shutter lag maybe I'll attempt a bird. I doubt that I have your patience though.

Thanks for sharing.

Evelynn : )

Hi Manyee,
An excellent shot on this Northern Mockingbird! I really like the composition with the bare branches. Nice subtle colors and good sharp detail. Great job here.
Scott

Hi Manyee

Very nice work. Good composition, nice light and POV. Good quality. Thanks.

Hi ManYee
Blue sky and birds always go together well, but then it must be California blue. It seems like Fremont fell a little off the map. IMHO the sky there could do with a bit of azure. Please see my workshop and tell me if you agree or not.
Your composition is great and the branches behind the bird lend some balance to the photo. The colours on the mockingbird looks fine and so the detail.
Good effort and TFS.
Regards
Loot

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