Mockingbirds

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Carolyn C
Posts: 172
Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:45 am
Location: Georgetown, TX

I just noticed mockingbirds building a nest in our small myrtle tree. It's close enough to the martin houses that I worry. Should I worry?
Carolyn
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Siberman
Posts: 262
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:03 pm
Location: Titus County , TX

I've never seen a Mockingbird bother Martins . He might just be a good watch dog for your colony .
2010: 5 pair - raptor attack .
2011 : nada .
2012 : 1 pair - 5 eggs / 5 fledged .
2013: zero
2014: Lots of visitors
2015 : several visitors . Seriously considering purchasing a drone to scare off raptors .
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Bulldog1
Posts: 700
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 8:33 am
Location: Mississippi/Hamilton

I have mockingbirds build a nest every year in a hedge not 15 feet from my setup. Never had a problem.
PMCA member
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!
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Anthony Neira
Posts: 1319
Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:12 pm
Location: San Antonio /Texas
Martin Colony History: Started in 1992 From neighbors old 1950-60's colonies. Have 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 4 MPP Poles, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals ,& 2 S&K 11" WITH Troyer Porches ready for 2019 Season !

Hey Carolyn, Siberman & B.D1 are SO right ! Mocking birds make Great Watch Dogs ! Just remember those Cry's they make when they see a cat , My ALL Time Favorite Attack On A Hawk was by a Mocking Bird who landed on the Top of a Red Tail Hawk's Back & the M.Bird tucked in it's wings and Went For A Ride ! While the Hawk was crying out the whole time ! :shock: I don't think I'll Ever see that again !! :grin:
PMCA Member, 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals + Tunnels, & 2 S&K Bo 11"s WITH Troyer Porches ! 4 MPPs, For 2019 Season !! :grin: Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.
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Carolyn C
Posts: 172
Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:45 am
Location: Georgetown, TX

Thank you for all your great answers on the mockingbirds. I feel better now.
Carolyn
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saltair
Posts: 60
Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2015 1:56 pm
Location: Delaware

I've never seen them have a problem even when sharing the same perch.
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~Ray~Gingerich
Posts: 2122
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
Location: Delaware/Dover

I have a mocking bird that shows up when I flip food to my martins, he picks up anything that lands in my driveway.
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
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Craig Dyer
Posts: 500
Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 2:24 pm
Location: Nevada, TX
Martin Colony History: Area is rural. Offer 28 compartments...metal housing (Lonestar Goliad) & Supergourds all w/crescent entrance holes. Purple martins are abundant here and eager for quality, well maintained, safe housing. Expect near 100% occupancy this season.

Mockingbirds & purple martins coexist just fine. I have seen opportunistic mockingbirds hang out under the martin housing and feast on insects dropped by martins feeding their young.

In Texas during late summer the mockingbird announces the end of purple martin season. It proudly sings as it reclaims it's perch atop the martin house.
Craig Dyer
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Carolyn C
Posts: 172
Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:45 am
Location: Georgetown, TX

Thank you Craig. You have all helped me. Now we have to learn to walk around our back yard and not get attacked. :)
Carolyn
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Siberman
Posts: 262
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:03 pm
Location: Titus County , TX

Carolyn C wrote:Thank you Craig. You have all helped me. Now we have to learn to walk around our back yard and not get attacked. :)
Hint : don't go near a baby Mocker . As a child I found one perched on my bicycle . It seemed quite docile so I picked it up for a closer look . Everything was fine until we made eye contact . He looked at me for a second then opened his bright yellow mouth and proceeded to scream bloody murder . This quickly caught the parents' attention .

It was like a miniature version of Pearl Harbor . I didn't leave the house for a week . :lol:
2010: 5 pair - raptor attack .
2011 : nada .
2012 : 1 pair - 5 eggs / 5 fledged .
2013: zero
2014: Lots of visitors
2015 : several visitors . Seriously considering purchasing a drone to scare off raptors .
Top
Carolyn C
Posts: 172
Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:45 am
Location: Georgetown, TX

Siberman wrote:
Carolyn C wrote:Thank you Craig. You have all helped me. Now we have to learn to walk around our back yard and not get attacked. :)
Hint : don't go near a baby Mocker . As a child I found one perched on my bicycle . It seemed quite docile so I picked it up for a closer look . Everything was fine until we made eye contact . He looked at me for a second then opened his bright yellow mouth and proceeded to scream bloody murder . This quickly caught the parents' attention .

It was like a miniature version of Pearl Harbor . I didn't leave the house for a week . :lol:

LOL! Hopefully we can walk around our small backyard. Otherwise, will have to remove nest before next eggs.
Carolyn
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