Most of Georgia’s year-round songbirds, such as robins, bluebirds and cardinals, establish and aggressively defend territories during the spring and summer nesting season. Come autumn, however, with breeding seasons over, their reproduction hormone levels plummet and their hostilities toward each other fade.
In winter, with their aggression in check, the birds become compatible, even forming flocks to find and share food to survive the cold months.
Not so, however, with the Northern mockingbird, one of Georgia’s most recognizable birds. It is well known for its exceptional defense of territory and young during the nesting season. But unlike most other birds, the mockingbird continues to defend territory during winter, remaining pugnacious even after its nesting season has long ended. In fact, a mockingbird’s aggressiveness seems to increase during winter rather than diminish.
Ornithologists say the mocker’s wintertime feistiness actually is more about protecting food supplies within its territory than defending the space for nesting, as it will do in spring. An adult mockingbird isn’t apt to share food with other birds, except perhaps its monogamous mate. During winter, a mockingbird will bully other birds away from feeders and other food sources, even if it doesn’t like the food.
The mockingbird’s intolerance of other birds is a main reason I hear folks at this time of year complain that a bullying mockingbird — or a male-female pair of mockingbirds — is driving the other birds away from feeders and yards. In fact, as I was writing this week, I watched a mockingbird chase a cardinal from a suet feeder and pursue the redbird into a nearby bush.
Despite mockingbirds’ year-round antagonism, though, I’m thankful to have the birds in my yard. In another few weeks, their breeding hormones will start kicking in. They will begin singing songs from their extraordinary repertoire and mimicking the notes of other birds — belting out some of the most joyful sounds of late winter and early spring.
IN THE SKY: From David Dundee, Tellus Science Museum astronomer; The moon will be last quarter on Tuesday. Venus and Saturn are in the west just after sunset and set two hours later. They will appear close together in the sky on Sunday night. Mars rises in the east just after sunset. Jupiter is in the east at sunset.
Charles Seabrook can be reached at charles.seabrook@yahoo.com.
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