Bird Calls Radio's Bird of the Day for Monday, Aug. 1

The northern mockingbird is the Bird Calls Radio Bird of the Day for Monday, Aug. 1.

It’s hard to believe the northern mockingbird is a relatively new species to New England, having expanded their range northward over the past several decades. To anyone relatively new to birdwatching, the mockingbird seems as if it’s been here forever.

Mockingbirds are handsome, sleek, mostly gray birds. Their white wing patches are a good field mark. The above bird is protecting its territory. Did I mention protection? Mockingbirds are very territorial and pity the songbird that unwittingly ventures into a mocker’s turf.

The most fascinating thing about mockingbirds, of course, is their vocalization. They are mimics, and darn good ones. They imitate everything from other birds to mechanical sounds more associated with humans than birds. It’s all part of their repertoire, which is often sung over and over from an obvious perch, especially in spring. It’s a fun exercise to listen to a mockingbird and try to pick out all the different sounds it is making.

Be sure to check out Bird Calls every Saturday from 3 to 4 p.m. on WSTC/WNLK AM1400/1350 (in S. CT and nearby NY) or www.wstcwnlk.com from anywhere in the world (where there’s Internet access, that is.) Thanks for checking in.