i have developed a hatred for the mockingbird, and i now understand why harper lee chose the title of her famous novel.here is why: i went over to a friend's house yesterday for a few drinks after work, and we sat outside on her front porch the entire time. i was floored to see the interaction between a healthy, young cat and two annoying mockingbirds.
i've never seen anything like it, but this cat just sat in the yard the entire time i was there and let two mockingbirds hover over and attack him for a couple of hours. the cat just sat there, seemingly uninterested in two loud, annoying birds who just flew back and forth, over the cat, and actually bumping into the cat's body time and time and time again.
LET ME REPEAT MYSELF: THE BIRDS LITERALLY FLEW INTO THE CAT AND HIT THE CAT WITH THEIR WINGS AND FEET. AND THE CAT DID NOTHING. HE JUST LET IT HAPPEN.
my thoughts:
1) i am no hunter nor do i take any pleasure in killing animals, but i want to kill these birds. they are loud, obnoxious, and mean.
2) why does this cat not attack these small birds????? granted, the cat has been de-clawed, but he easily could have bitten these tiny birds and eaten them whole.
3) why are the birds not scared of the cat??????
4) my mind was baffled by this display of counter-intuitive and seemingly unnatural behavior by these animals!!!
41 comments:
According to Harper Lee, it's a SIN to kill a mockingbird. I don't think the Beatles would approve either. The obnoxious behavior you witnessed probably was because the mockingbirds had a nest nearby and were protecting their young. I got attacked by one down in the vista earlier this year because its nest was near the sidewalk. Actually brushed against my head. Stupid on the bird's part, perhaps, but undoubtedly ballsy (or whatever you say about a female). -André
yea, i knew i was misusing the title of that book in regards to this observation, and thanks for refreshing my memory about that fact. there may be a nest nearby, but these birds have been at this behavior for months and months and months, so i'm assuming their young have already become adults. who knows. . . i still feel the desire to defend my friend's cat and hurt these birds!
Walker,
The birds were not just attacking to be annoying to you. Please!!!! I agree with Andre! maybe they were protecting a nest nearby or the supposed threat they thought the cat place on their nest or just what they believe is "their habitat." In any case their behavior seems to have bothered you more than the cat, as he made no attempt to leave the situation. Hurt those birds and i will hurt you.
Your loving sister, Liv
My most recent encounter with mockingbirds was July 4th at the Isle of Palms. We were at a house and there was a hawk perched on the neighbors chimmney. 2 mockingbirds were very fiercely defending something, I assume a nest. They were buzzing by the much larger hawk and eventually it left. They even flew after it for a good ways.
Stuckey
One of the central messages of "To kill a mockingbird" was to not judge someone until you really get to know them. Maybe if you were more aware of the mockingbirds' intentions you may feel less annoyed at their seemingly obnoxious behaviour.
yeah, yeah, i know, i totally misused and mischaracterized harper lee's book, and i probably should be more understanding of why exactly the birds were going after the cat, but you had to be there to appreciate how crazy of a situation it is. the cat was minding its own business, was not near any tree where a nest could be, and it was just letting 2 tiny birds ram their bodies into it. i'm really more baffled by the cat's behavior than the birds'.
THESE TINY BIRDS!!!!!! What were you drinking and how many. I think you need your vision checked. Mockingbirds are NOT tiny. They are the size of Robins if not somewhat larger.
They weight 1 to 2 oz on a good day. So how much harm could they do a full grown cat.
The cat sat still for several reasons:
It knew the birds, there may have been a new nest, with eggs or hatchlings near by; the cat had been in that situation before and knew exactly what it had coming.
I find them frustrating. I make my own suet...so delicious that bluebirds, who normally eat bugs/mealworms, will eat it, and I provide water and seed, year-round. We enjoy a large vairety of woodpeckers here in central Arkansas, too....I could go on. But the Mockingbirds perch in trees and on roofs to "guard" all of the feeding stations (we have several) and even chase the hummingbirds away. I wish I could find a way to discourage these ariel terrorists......sigh.....my cats, who will catch anything, including snakes, STAY CLEAR of these mean birds. We have witnessed some amusing dive-bombing while our poor kitties ran for cover under our fig trees.....love to find a way to make them co-habitate.
Mockingbirds have taken over my front yard as their own! I understand they are probably protecting nest(s), as I believe they have one in 2-3 of our trees. I, however, do not appreciate being practically side swiped on the face when I take our garbage can to the curb or try to sweep the driveway or try to clip and clean up shoots from the base of our crepe myrtles or prune holly trees that desparately need it...I could go on and on! They are truly obnoxious! I admit I enjoy their chirpping (in the daylight hours) and can sleep through it on most nights, but they are scaring me and my pre-school aged children who just want to play in our yard! They are, in my opinion, defensive to the level that makes them mean. I would love them if they were just somewhere else not waiting to attack me and my family! I've never felt a hate for birds before, but I hate these Mockingbirds!
Don't listen to these other yahoos. I hate mockingbirds so fiercely that I bought a .410 shot gun specifically to wipe them out. Don't get me wrong, I love a good song bird, but mocking birds are pests. I rate them right up there with rats. They are mean, have an annoying sound and are just generally irritating.
Yesterday I observed a mocking bird attacking a squirrel in my back yard. The poor squirrel ran for dear life!
Mockingbirds flat out suck! They are vile and mean... they have been harrassing my dogs and me for months and I've had it! We cant even enjoy our front yard anymore. They must die. I bought a pellet gun today and I plan to exterminate these jerks!
I too dislike mockingbirds, my friend. The posters on this site who gave you a hard time are very stuck up and have no sense of humor. I have not slept in a week because of a mockingbird. I love and feed birds and am a birder, but definitely not a fan of Mr. M and have made the same joke as you about Harper Lee's title. The lack of sleep can make you go mad with frustration, and it is only people who haven't gone through that who make their snide, politically-correct judgements. LOL.
I hate the mockers also. But you must remember Mockingbirds are a PROTECTED BIRD. It is AGAINST THE LAW TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.
I hate them because they are so territorial. I have bird feeders in my back yard and buy various feed to attract a variety of birds.
However, the mockers have laid claim to my entire backyard. I put out suet for the woodpeckers and the mockers run them off. I have bluebirds that have to fight off these rascals to raise and feed their fledglings.
I usually sit in my lawn chair with the garden hose and squirt them when they come near the bluebird house or their feeder.
They still manage to steal some of the mealworms I put out (and they are expensive).
So, I just rant and rave because it is ILLEGAL TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.
M
Only the males sing at night and only until they find a mate. That being said, none of those fuckers in my yard have ever lived long enough to reproduce......
my new book idea -To kill a mockingbird in three easy steps ready aim fire!
It's been over a month now and I've tried to be patient, but I think today is the day. I love birds in the yard but enough is enough. The pellet gun is coming out and I doubt that I'll miss as they have no fear perching about five feet away from my head and squawking like Banshees.
OH - MY - GAWD! I am about to lose my mind. It is now June 15th, 6 days until the start of Summer. I live in So. Cal. and we are plagued by the country's most annoying bird, they are everywhere - all summer long. These Mo Fo's go on and on and on and ON - at the top of their lungs day and night, especially night. I read they are supposed to have partnered up by now and raising the family. However, there is always one looser in my back yard who can't seem to attract a mate. Perhaps if he wasn't so ANNOYING and shut his trap once in awhile. I swear if I had a flame thrower he would be ashes by now. Just when you think he has moved on to his next victim he's back to taunt you with a brand new 8 hour recording that makes your ears bleed!
The Mocks are pissing me off too! Everytime we feed the other wildlife in our backyard, they attack. They even run off the Blue Jays and Dove! I have contemplated letting my cat out, but she may get one of the other birds. A pellet gun is in order. Just ordered a Gamo Silet Cat Air Rifle and can't wait to use it! BTW, it's only illegal if you get caught! Get Sum!
http://www.amazon.com/Gamo-Silent-Cat-Air-Rifle/dp/B0024XEXQS/ref=sr_1_2/176-8708659-6099057?ie=UTF8&qid=1371768961&sr=8-2&keywords=high+power+air+rifle
I'm in SoCal also and have been suffering the mockingbirds for at least 20 years. They seem to get louder every year. About 10 years ago I'd had enough and popped one with a pellet gun. I was losing sleep at a distressing rate while airheads told me what a 'sin' it was to shoot the annoying birds. These morons watch movies to get 'informed'. I popped another one today after weeks of suffering through its screeching repertoire. The only 'sin' is to parrot stupidity from a movie as truth.
Thank you all for making me laugh this morning when I was about to start smashing my head into a wall to knock myself unconscious just so I could go back to sleep. I too have an intense hatred for these little minions of Satan that began over ten years ago. I would be awakened every weekend morning by one of these little pieces of crap singing its lovely nails on a chalk board tune on a bush right outside my window. I'd go outside half dressed and bare foot, pick up the nearest rock and throw it at the little sweety only to have him fly to a phone pole about 3 feet away. Then I would proceed to throw rocks, doing my best to aim for the little fellas head only to have him calmly watch the rocks fly by then look at me and fly back down to the bush. I believe this is the true reason they are actually called mocking birds. All they do is mock any attempt you make at getting them to shut the hell up! So fast forward ten years and here I am again being tormented by one of these little assholes. This time he is in the neighbors tree which is actually closer to my bedroom window than theirs and I can't even see him. I can't throw stuff at him because it would be landing in the neighbors yard. I will try a hose if it happens tomorrow, and if that doesn't work I may just buy a pellet gun. Night night little birdy!!! And to those of you who say learning the reason that they do what they do may make it more bearable, Really!!!!???? If I sat outside your window yelling at the top of my lung at 5 am every morning, would it really make it more tolerable to know I had a good reason for it? If there was a way to remove the thing and let it go in a park, as my husband and I did with a gopher that was tearing up our lawn a few weeks back, then I would. But I highly doubt that's possible so yes, I chose my sanity and good rest over the life of a stupid, mean, obnoxious bird. If you wouldn't then you are stupid. Now weather or not I will actually go through with killing the thing is still up in the air. I have a feeling even that will be harder than I think.
right at dusk i walk toward the tree the mockingbird nuisance roosts in and begin flapping a bright yellow cotton handkerchief quickening the beats as i get closer,mimicking the sound of large wingbeats like a hawk or owl might make. so far its been more succesful than anything else ive tried for example a long bamboo pole to push the branches around madly and shooting plums with a wristrocket
I have never given mockingbirds a reason to dislike me. Yet they squawk up a storm whenever I walk by one. It can even be someplace I've never been before, still the same response. I find this rather strange and have no answer for it.
You (or someone who looked like you) might have inadvertently offended one in the past, and it still remembers you.
Sorry that I find the frustration towards mockingbirds so humorous since it's my favorite bird. It attacks the animals I like the least--squirrels (eat fruits off my trees) and crows (pick at the shingles on my roof).
There seems to be plenty of other birds on my property so I don't see mockers much as a deterrent.
I've encountered the loud, single male, but after the first few days, I got used to his songs and can sleep through them.
Never been attacked by one so can't comment on that.
They haven't started swooping down on me yet. But if they do because of their unwarranted hate, I'll do my damndest to knock them out of the sky and stomp the life out of them.
We have a nest of Mockers in our back yard orange tree~they are constantly squawking~we were wondering why the upturn in noise~turns out there are 3 hawks that have taken up roosting in my neighbors huge tree~now it is full out war against the hawks~it's actually very entertaining to watch them go after these hawk who are huge compared to them`when ever the hawks go after them the mockers just out maneuver them and end up continuing the attack~this has been going on for almost 3 weeks!! As for any noise at night~I just close the window!!
Here's the key..you absolutely cannot let them become established in your yard. Its April but I already have my ammo at the ready (sand bucket filled with gravel and other small rocks) and am just waiting for
one of those little bastards to cross onto our property. You must be diligent...AS SOON as you hear or see one bombard the tree with the gravel aiming both high and low. And be aggressive in your motions. Feel the anger and direct all your rage at the bird I was told
by a bird watcher that they sense hostility in humans and will be wary and leave. But they have to see your not tolerating their shit and this means stalking them from tree to tree with your gravel bucket firing as soon as they land in a new spot. I view it as a sort of war in which I will be victorious. They get the message pretty quick and fly off to the neighbors yard. Am I insane you ask? Or maybe obsessed? No. I really hate mockingbirds and my home and property is mine. I refuse to be kept awake all night, keep the windows closed or just try to ignore them. I dont want them around, so, therefore they must leave. Got rid of 3 last year with this method in the spring/early summer. Im hoping they bypass us this year but if not, im ready.
And, as a note to the above: you are probably thinking I am tearing the feathers off all the other birds in the trees, but you would be wrong. All the other birds are naturally wary of humans and have already flown away by the time I even come close. Mockingbirds are the only bird I know of that will stand their ground and try to drive a human or any other animal away including other songbirds which are always welcome. So hail to the gravel. Hoping for a peaceful, mockingbird free summer.
Birds sure can be annoying. Once they start flocking, it's time to call a professional!
Right there with you. Harper Lee was just trying to be romantic. I've honestly never heard mocking birds do anything besides yell at and harass everything around them. Blue Jays have a reputation for being bullies; but, in my experience, mocking birds a much worse. I love animals, but I shoot mocking birds on sight so that the doves and robins can live in peace.
One day we had a mockingbird drown in the rain barrel. (Stupid thing was probably trying to fight its reflection.) Another day we had a hawk catch a mockingbird. Both were great days.
I have five reasons for hating mockingbirds. 1) 99% of the time that they open their mouths it is to yap, a very loud, harsh, dry call, over, and over, and over. 2) They spread the seeds of unwanted invasive plants all over the yard. They are too tenacious to pull up and usually come up where they can't be dug up. All I can do is cut them back but they regrow. I will be cutting back pyracantha, pepper tree, and asparagus fern for the rest of my life. 3) They poop on the mailbox. This is not in itself a real big deal but add more icing to the obnoxious cake. 4) I have a hard time growing tomatoes (too hot here). If I do finally get a tomato, more often than not, a mockingbird will peck holes in
it, ruining it. 5) The worst thing of all are the babies. The let out a very loud (heard in the house), shrill shriek every second from dawn to dusk. They are so loud that I can hear them in the house when the nest is across the street. Yes, double-glazed windows are closed. This goes on from mid March until the end of August, pretty much ruining my outdoor time. Unlike normal birds, it's not one brood and they're done. Last year they had at least four broods. This happens every year. We try to make our yard hostile to mockingbirds but they will not go away. Too bad the houses are too close together for b-b guns. I mean that.
Hey, Harper Lee, have you ever even experienced having a mockingbird live in your yard. They are not some romantic southern thing that sings to give us pleasure. All they do is very loud, monotonous, one-not fussing. If that is what you like, then come to my neighborhood and take every last one of the worthless creatures. I don't even care that it is against the law to kill a mockingbird. I would gladly wring the neck of every last one. Why do mockingbirds get more protection than any other non-bird critter in my yard? They are right up there with rats and mosquitoes. Southerners only like them because they are Confederate gray. Give it up. The war was over 150 years ago. You lost.
I'll buy that book! I loathe the little buggers!!!'
Hahahaha.....your post made me ROFL! I thought I was alone in my misery! I even chopped down Rees and bushes outside of my bedroom window to get rid of them. Now they perch on the roof and screech. next Spring I'll remove my roof!
My hero!!!!
Tennis rackets for the whole family! Solve your problem AND get in shape!
At dusk? Plums? You obviously haven't slept....you poor dear.
🤣 ROFL
Close the window.
If you look up POS with Google Images and don't get a picture of a mockingbird, something is wrong.
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