10

I live in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Recently, there has been a bird sitting in the mesquite tree outside my window, singing. This bird comes in the middle of the damn night. Once 3am, once 5am, and now around midnight.

What is peculiar about this bird is that it makes so many different sounds.

I recorded a video of its calls coming from my window: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eHusuJlkXa8

What is this bird?

Improve this question
2
  • That’s really interesting!
    – Ricketyship
    Apr 21, 2018 at 8:40
  • Hi chester. In addition to @Ricketyship's identification, I want to confirm that Northern Mockingbirds are year round residents in Arizone. See this page for information.
    – Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
    Apr 21, 2018 at 23:58

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
9

The bird you are listening to is a northern mocking bird. I am not sure why it’s making the calls in the middle of the night.

Mockingbirds in general are known for their intelligence and their ability to learn new calls. That’s why you’ll mostly hear it making a lot of different types of calls.

EDIT:

After some research I found the following reasons why a mockingbird would sing at night:

I haven't come across any scientific study to back either of these claims.

Improve this answer
2
  • 2
    @Sue link seems to be working for me. Can you access this link?
    – Ricketyship
    Apr 22, 2018 at 6:07
  • For what it's worth, Mockingbirds are noted for singing quite late in the year as well as at night. Our local ones in Maryland are still singing vigorously, for instance, at a time when the only other songs are Carolina Wrens (also very late singers). It may be related to the fact that Mockingbirds are fiercely territorial and establish winter territories where fruit can be found. Somebody may have already looked into this, but I haven't noticed any papers on it.
    – John Robinson
    Oct 10, 2022 at 15:34

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.