Mockingbird mocking chickens?

[Mark & Nique]

Howdy --

One of our common native birds in South Carolina (not talking chickens yet) is the Mockingbird, which, as its name suggests, is a gifted mimic.

While eating dinner last evening, we heard a distinct 'cheep, cheep', and one of our daughters declared, "That's Bunny!" (Bunny is our 2 month old EE pullet.) However, all chickens were in the tractor in the backyard, and a Mockingbird was making the call.

Has anyone ever had this happen or a similar experience? If so, will the Mockingbirds begin 'clucking'? Thanks!

 

[theoldchick]

I've had Mockingbirds mock my cell phone. They also learn to follow me on the lawn mower and snatch up the insects I scare.

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

I have heard them mock a chicken, too - and they can also do the little trill of guinea keets!

 

[Mark & Nique]

Too much fun! Thanks!

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Same here, I call them my "fighter wing squadron".

I love mockingbirds and their songs are always a source of amazement and joy!

 

[wegotchickens]

When my youngest was a toddler she loved to chase our big yellow cat, Scooter. She'd squeal whenever she saw him, and he'd run like heck!

One day I was working in the garden while the baby was taking a nap. Then I heard her 'Scooter Squeal"! I knew she was inside, so I was really freaked out. Then I saw a mockingbird chasing Scooter, squealing just like my daughter!! It was the funniest thing EVER. That bird did that to Scooter all summer long. Scooter was a powerful predator, but the baby squeal was more powerful than his prey drive LOL.


Later in life, I told my story about the mockingbird and a woman overheard me. She told me about a bird that freaked her out. She said her mom had been in a home for a looong time due to Alzheimers. Her mom would call for her Sissy often, even though Sissy had been gone for years. One day the woman was taking a break, sitting outside her mom's open window, when she thought she heard her mom calling for Sissy. The lady went inside but her mom was asleep. Then she heard, "Sissy! Sissy!" again, this time through the window. She was upset about it. She knew the bird learned the noise from listening to her mom, but it still really freaked her out. Hearing my story calmed her down and made her own experience less frightening. She said only she & the nurses had ever heard her mom's mockingbird, and they never really talked about it because it scared them. This lady had never told anyone else about it because she thought they'd think she was crazy!

Mockingbirds are POWERFUL imitators, and there's just no telling what sounds they will decide to mock. We have one at our house that can scream like a hawk. Funny thing is that my chickens have learned to ignore the mockingbird, but hide when the jay screams a warning or they hear a real hawk. But they used to hide when the mockingbird did its trick, and I think thats why it did it!! Once they started to ignore the mockingbird it quit making the hawk scream, and hasn't done it in ages.

 

[Godsgrl]

I love mockingbirds, they are such a riot. We used to have one that would mimic our guinea pigs. Our current one has quite a repertoire-from a hawk to woody woodpecker. Heaven help anything that gets too close to a nest-the mockers won't let that critter have a moment's rest. Did you know they are actually hatched without a song, and have to pick up songs from other birds? They are the neatest things ever.