I finally captured him!

[Jayell]

I'm only presenting this little guy here because I've spent years trying to capture him on video. Normally as you move closer to him, he may not fly, but he stops singing. This is the closest I've gotten (yesterday afternoon), and I'm really pleased .. if only there hadn't been a breeze blowing the branch around so much

Western Mockingbird
And I'm also preserving him on video, because if he doesn't STOP singing once in awhile (he'll go on for hours at a time!!), I may have him for lunch

[Chuck Engels]

That's really great video and audio Jayell

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

Now I know what a Mocking Bird looks and sounds like - we don't have them here in the UK.

[Dave McElderry]

That's quite a song he's got! Good catch Jayell.

[momoffduty]

Good catch Jayell. We had a Mocking bird in our backyard for several years. He would swoop down and antagonize our schnauzer. Haven't seen the bird anymore. Wish I got that on tape.

[Chuck Engels]

Sounds more like a Thrasher than a Mockingbird Cheryl. They are a bit similar and they both make lots of noise
I didn't think that Mockingbirds were very aggressive, unlike Thrashers.

[Jayell]

We put some bread out for the birds in the yard once. Every time they'd come around for it, the Thrasher would chase them away. He didn't seem to want any himself .. he just didn't want anyone else to have any. In our area the Thrasher (curved bill) is easily as big as the Mockingbird, but as you say, Chuck, much more aggressive.

[Clayton]

Sounds more like a Thrasher than a Mockingbird Cheryl. They are a bit similar and they both make lots of noise
I didn't think that Mockingbirds were very aggressive, unlike Thrashers.

I gaurantee that the mockingbirds are agressive, especially when they have a nest nearby. Our cat is constantly bombarded by them when she is in the backyard. They are kin to thrashers and they mimic other birds sounds. By the way mockingbirds are the state bird here in Texas.

[Chuck Engels]

That's very interesting Jayell and Clayton. I didn't realize that Mockingbirds were that aggressive. I do know that Thrashers are very territorial and will protect a whole area from any invaders. They are all over my yard much of the time and don't let many other birds near.

[Jayell]

.. and I'm sure all birds get territorial where nests are concerned. And I believe there are different types of mockingbirds and thrashers .. so perhaps their personalities may be different. I get the impression Mockingbirds are aggressive for a reason .. Thrashers just because they feel like it.