Dear Cathy,
A mockingbird moved into the tree outside my bedroom window. He/she starts singing around 3 a.m. During the day, he/she sings on top of the light pole in the yard, and every so often he/she jumps straight up in the air, lands on the pole, and continues singing. Is this going to continue throughout the summer? It doesn’t bother us, but we have never heard a Mockingbird sing throughout the day and night.
– J. Tufo, Seaford, New York
Dear J,
I am not an expert on wild bird behavior, but I am willing to go out on a limb here and say the mockingbird’s continuous song and occasional antics indicates the bird is a “he” trying to attract a mate. I am glad you don’t mind the singing since male mockingbirds sing during the day and part of the night for most of the spring and summer. You might even miss this bird’s serenade when summer comes to an end.
Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to moc.tidnuptep@yhtac. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal
