Northern Mockingbirds are well known for their melodious non-stop singing. They are expert mimics of other birds, and are continuously adding to their repertoire of sounds. In fact, male Mockingbirds may learn more than 200 songs over a lifetime (All About Birds).
But I caught this lovely Mockingbird just resting quietly on a branch at dusk the other evening, occasionally fluffing up its feathers, while gazing pensively out over the marsh. 
Because of its beautiful voice, the Northern Mockingbird was once in danger of extinction as a result of the caged bird trade during the 1700-1800’s (Birds of North America, Eastern Region; All About Birds).
Unfortunately, many species are still threatened by the illegal exotic pet trade (All About Birds; Bird Life International), but Mockingbirds can now be heard singing their hearts out in the wild throughout most of the US, and in parts of Canada and Mexico. The Mockingbird has the distinction of being the state bird of 5 states: Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.
Birder's Journey 
Beautiful! I love their singing.
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I do too, Pam. We’re lucky they also spend a lot of time in the shrubs right near our front door. Thanks for visiting!
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One year the mockingbird started picking up our purple martin’s songs. So after the martins left on migration, I’d look out to see if one was around and it was the mockingbird. 🙂
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Lol. I think that probably happens a lot!
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Thanks for sharing this BJ, I heard one sing on youtube, it appears to mimmick other bird calls, like some of our birds especially the lyrebird, which it reminds me of, I guess that’s why they call it a mockingbird. Lovely photos.
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Yes…Similar to the wonderful European Nightingale-another talented mimic that sings night and day.
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What an all purpose and resilient bird. We see them everywhere. I love that they have such an eerie and seemingly impossible repertoire of song!
Thanks
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These little songsters are truly ubiquitous:-D
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I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing this bird or hearing it’s song. Your photos are wonderful!
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Thanks so much, Belinda. I don’t know whether I ever saw mockingbirds up north, but since I’ve lived in Florida, I see them all the time everywhere! Their almost constant singing is truly a pleasure~!
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I did not know the birds were in the illegal exotic pet trade. That is sad. When in St. Lucia, they were daily visitors to my cousin’s garden. I enjoyed them. Lovely photos and great quote.
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Thankfully, for Mockingbirds, the practice of capturing them 200+ years ago to enjoy their song as caged birds stopped over a century ago. Now it’s the parrots and other similar tropical birds that are at risk.
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I miss read. I thought you meant in other parts of the world. I do know about parrots, but in our country they need to be bred here to be sold I think. At least in NY they do.
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Yes, Donna. The two links I included describe the illegal exotic bird/pet trade in some other parts of the world.
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Beautiful, Bj! I see them a lot in this part of Texas. Thank you for the info.
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You’re welcome, Amy. I look forward to birding again in Texas this winter.
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Truth be told, I miss those little guys. Such playful birds and those many songs awakening me to a new dawn. Four more months and I’ll be back in Florida.
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How lucky you are to be coming here at the peak of breeding season!
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Interesting! And I had no idea it represented so many states!
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Thanks for your visit, Yaffa 🙂 Only the Northern Cardinal (7), and Western Meadowlark (6) represent more!
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Great post! I am such a fan of these birds. We have several living in our neighborhood and their songs are fascinating. At the salt marsh I once heard a Mockingbird imitating the Osprey call 🙂
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Amazing, Tiny !! They’re so talented, and they always make me smile.
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Great post, BJ. Although I am familiar with the threats of the ongoing illegal pet trade, I never knew the mockingbird population was once troubled by it. I love listening to the melodies of mockingbirds, each one is a sweet pleasure. How fortunate they are still prevalent.
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Thanks, Jet! Interestingly, I would venture to say it wasn’t illegal at the time Mockingbirds were captured in the caged bird trade, as it was in the 1700 – 1800’s, before the laws that were created to protect birds.
I agree with you – great description of their melodies !
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Exceptional photos. I love your technique.
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Your visit and comments are so appreciated, Sue. This was one of those soft gray evenings just before dusk, and the Mockingbird looked so sweet silhouetted against the sky on the branch.
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