2006 Rescue & Release

This mocker was a fledgling who fell out of his nest before he was ready to fly or knew how to catch his own bugs. MWR Volunteer Kelly Jacobs had to feed him every 10 minutes until he was able to fly and catch insects on his own.

Mississippi's State Bird, the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is so popular it is the State Bird for five states: MS, FL, TX, TN and AR.

Baby birds have hair type feathers on their faces which Momma bird touches when she is feeding them so they will open their mouths. Mockers sing most of the year, and imitate not just the songs of other birds, but also insects, amphibians and mechanical noises! An experienced Mockingbird may sing anywhere from 50 to 200 different song types, depending on their age and sex, as females sing more quietly and usually only when their life-long mate is away. The male's spring and fall repertoires differ, and during the full moon they may sing through the night.

Eating insects and fruit, Mockingbirds nest in woodlands, thickets, hedgerows, desert brush, residential areas, city parks and along roadsides. The flexibility of this species in choosing its nesting territory was driving a factor in the birds' quick recovery from its near-extinction in the 20th century when they were caged for their music.

Monogamous pairs share in the defense of territory and may be very aggressive, diving at dogs, cats and human intruders during baby season. Every year MWR's unpaid volunteers foster rescued songbirds that have been fed poisoned insects, fallen from nests, (please return them birds can't smell) injured by pets, etc until they can be released back into the wilds of Mississippi.