Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) By Dan (Dan’sPix)
“Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.” (Ecclesiastes 10:20 NKJV)
Mockingbirds have been one of my favorite birds. They used to nest in a bush outside our bedroom when we lived in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He used to sing, sing, and sing when they had their young. Only problem was sometimes he sang at 2 or 3 in the morning (outside our bedroom). Those are the times when you wished birds observed “quite hours.”
When the doors are shut in the streets, And the sound of grinding is low; When one rises up at the sound of a bird, And all the daughters of music are brought low. (Ecclesiastes 12:4 NKJV)
Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) By Dan’sPix
That said, let’s look at our bird family this week. The Mimidae are the New World family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. As their name (Latin for “mimic”) suggests, these birds are notable for their vocalization, especially some species’ remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors.
Brown Trembler (Cinclocerthia ruficauda) ©WikiC
There are 34 birds in this family which includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. They tend towards dull grays and browns in their appearance, though a few are black or blue-gray, and many have red, yellow, or white irises. Many mimids have a rather thrush-like pattern: brown above, pale with dark streaks or spots below. They tend to have longer tails than thrushes (or the bigger wrens, which they also resemble) and longer bills that in many species curve downward.
Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) by Raymond Barlow
They have long, strong legs (for passerines) with which many species hop through undergrowth searching for arthropods and fruits to eat. Their habitat varies from forest undergrowth to scrub, high-altitude grasslands, and deserts. The two tremblers live in the atypical habitat of rain forests in the Lesser Antilles, and the Brown Trembler has the particularly atypical behavior of foraging while clinging to tree trunks. (With information from Wikipedia)
At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:20-21 KJV)
“I Am Loved” ~ Faith Baptist Orchestra
Mimidae – Mockingbirds, Thrashers
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Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus 
Mockingbirds are a favorite in the Lone Star State — one of this blog’s astute followers, Ernie Carrasco (a true native Texan), has a special appreciation for mockingbirds, and he occasionally reminds me ( a mere “carpet-bagger”) of just how special mockingbirds are. And why Not? — the Northern Mockingbird is the official state bird of Texas! Wonderful photos and info, — thanks again, Lee, for another set of avian gems.
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Glad your State Bird was highlighted this week. Lord willing, all the Passerines will get highlighted sooner or later. Past the 1/2 way point now with the Sunday Inspiration of the passerines.
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Thanks for the comments.
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Mockingbirds are some of my favorite birds, too, and it’s interesting to hear the variety of their songs from one environment to the next. (For instance, the mockingbird family who lives around my house, which sits close to a deciduous forest, showcases a more diverse singing repertoire than a mockingbird that lives around my workplace, which is in an urban setting.) Their night-long song-fests never fail to crack me up though sometimes I wish they had an “off” switch. :D Thanks for sharing!
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Great Post, lovely pics
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