Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Birders

In reply to the discussion: Attracting Mockingbirds [View all]

TuxedoKat

(3,818 posts)
25. Yeah
Fri May 17, 2013, 08:26 AM
May 2013

I guess you could say I'm becoming obsessed. Mockingbirds are so common in places I lived before (MD and MO) it's frustrating that I've never seen them in my yard. I have seen them 15-20 miles away in other areas more suburban and some more rural like mine. Last year I saw two at my dentists' office in the city hopping around in a sprinkler near some bushes so I ran right out and bought a sprinkler. Over the past two years I've planted seven different types of fruit trees and ten blueberry and other fruit bushes. I have a raspberry patch and started a blackberry patch too. Not all the fruit trees and bushes were initially bought to attract Mockingbirds but those should be bird attractants too in a few more years. Oh -- I also subscribed to Birds and Blooms' Magazine...

On the plus side all these efforts are attracting other desirable birds, like the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak and Cardinals. I keep hoping I'll see Bluebirds too, as a person I know that has them lives about a mile away. With birds you just have to be patient for them to find you. Last year I bought a giant fancy suet feeder for Pileated Woodpeckers because my neighbor gets them to come to his
suet feeder. I put a small one on top of the big one for smaller woodpeckers too though. Finally after a year I saw a Pileated Woodpecker at my suet feeder, but he was eating from the small one, not the large one I put up for his comfort and benefit!

I keep hoping, "if you build it, they will come."

Attracting Mockingbirds [View all] TuxedoKat Oct 2012 OP
I have never tried to attract mockingbirds, Curmudgeoness Oct 2012 #1
Thanks TuxedoKat Oct 2012 #2
I have many birds that just stop by once a year. Curmudgeoness Oct 2012 #3
Yes TuxedoKat Oct 2012 #4
I was born in McKeesport fadedrose Mar 2013 #17
My father was raised in the McKeesport area. Curmudgeoness Mar 2013 #18
Our mockingbird pair eats two things: suet and an apple cut in half that I impale on a nail. They're Nay Dec 2012 #5
Thanks TuxedoKat Dec 2012 #6
I have a couple suet baskets XemaSab Dec 2012 #7
I have 2 hanging suet baskets. nt Nay Dec 2012 #9
Is it possible that the wings on mockingbirds look blue during the early Spring? JDPriestly Mar 2013 #11
Once you do get mockingbirds, they may chase off other birds csziggy Dec 2012 #8
Sounds like TuxedoKat Dec 2012 #10
mocking is right locks Mar 2013 #12
They will attack, too Aerows Mar 2013 #14
I live in Mississippi Aerows Mar 2013 #13
I know TuxedoKat Mar 2013 #15
They have lovely songs Aerows May 2013 #19
I wonder if that is true of many birds TuxedoKat May 2013 #21
When I lived in Arlington fadedrose Mar 2013 #16
They reign here in MS Aerows May 2013 #20
Here in central Texas, they hop around our yard, looking for bugs. Paladin May 2013 #22
I read somewhere TuxedoKat May 2013 #23
Sounds like you're going to great lengths..... Paladin May 2013 #24
Yeah TuxedoKat May 2013 #25
Good luck. MuseRider May 2013 #26
I have a set that is roosting in my cherry tree. Aerows Jun 2013 #27
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Birders»Attracting Mockingbirds»Reply #25