Mocking Bird in Manhattan

New York, May 6 -- Each spring there are fewer and fewer birds in Manhattan. Fewer crows, seagulls, mourning doves, robins, catbirds, bluejays, purple finches--even common old sparrows, starlings and pigeons are dwindling in numbers. However this morning an occasional visitor to our East Village neighborhood was obliging enough to repeat his performance while I ran downstairs to get the camera. If anyone can identify him, please leave a comment. Thank you.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• mocking
• bird
• migration
• birdsong
• spring
• New
• York
• City
• environment
• ornithology

[jojfritz]

How true... only robins and mourning doves seem to be doing well as native birds.. I think you mean house finches as I have never seen a purple one here in manhattan night-hawks are gone and chimney swifts are vanishing too  very disturbing

[jolandasterbloem]

LOVELY SOUND

[rkmugen]

Northern Mockingbird (mimus polyglottos) (aka. the mimic of many tongues)

A lovely bird with a beautiful song and mating call. But it is also a very protective bird when it comes to its territory and its nest. It will let out harsh screeches and hisses when it feels threatened by cats, dogs, humans, and even other birds. Its main method of defense/offense is to dive-bomb its target. The mockingbird eats mealworms, seeds, small insects, snails, apples, oranges, berries, and suet.

[ccchipcraw]

I heard a car alarm bird once in Washington Heights , (upper Manhattan) He imitated a car alarm so  cool. Wish I could find video/recording of that

[passion4gymnastics]

Yup. its a northern mockingbird.

[qualqui]

Definitely a mockingbird or as we know them here in mexico, a cenzontle! a bird with beautiful vocals, as the poet Nezahualcoyotl wrote, bird of many beautiful voices! Thanx for sharin' dude, totally awesome and what's more the bird wuz wild and free, not cooped up in no cage!

[BirdsAreRealNeat]

thats a nice bird

[trosinski9]

36th St. and 2nd.

Definitely a mocking bird in the neighborhood near St. Vartans park between 1st and 2nd ave. I grew up enjoying the sounds of mocking birds in New Jersey while trying to fall asleep. I hope it stays for a while.

[IlonaG]

I love mockingbirds! I live in Queens and for the past week and a half there's been a very talented bachelor in the tree in front of my house. Only problem is that he's very very load all night long. He's imitated all sorts of sounds even car alarms, cackling...amazing bird. I'm going to try and get him on camera tonight.