http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/birds/printouts/

The Mockingbird can sing up to 200 songs.These include the songs of other birds, insects, amphibians, bells, sirens, and even mechanical sounds or a rusty gate.

While most birds learn their songs early in life, the mockingbird continues to add to its repertoire throughout its life.

Legend calls the mockingbird “the

giver of language”;

it taught all the other birds how to

sing.

The Mockingbird has nicknames: The “Jazz Musician” of birdsThe “American Nightingale”

Mockingbirds are born with their eyes closed, weak, naked, and helpless.At the age of about 12 days, the chicks venture from the nest and hop around on the ground.Parents still feed them up to 5 times per hour before they can fly.Parents will care for their young for many months before it sets out on its own.

Mockingbird nests can be found 1-50 feet above the ground in the fork of a tree or the branch of a bush.Both sexes build the nest with

items such as twigs, dry leaves, stems, cotton paper, grass and other handy materials, making the nest as tight as possible to protect the eggs.

The mockingbird is

intensely territorial.

They are peaceful, non-violent birds except when threatened.

To defend its nest and protect its young, a mockingbird will swoop down and snap its beak at any

possible intruder, including other birds, dogs, cats, or

humans.It may also use its song skills to imitate something that would

scare away the predator.

During the late 18th century and throughout the 19th century there was

a strong market for caged mockingbirds. People wanted to

“own” the incredible songs.By the early 20th century, this demand resulted in the near

extinction of mockingbird populations near Philadelphia, St. Louis, and other

large cities.

In many states it is illegal to harm,

harass, or remove the mockingbird

from its nest.

“The mockingbird should probably be our national bird. It may be somewhat plain-looking, but it is a veritable melting pot of melodic ideas, embodying so much of the national character—the relentless drive, the joy in improvisation, the bringing together many to make one ideal. Eagles are majestic, but when I hear America singing, I hear the mockingbird.”

Earl Vickers, October 1997

the Mockingbird as a Metaphor in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird

Let’s look at the mockingbird in a different way…

Think of characters who are symbolized by the mockingbird:

On your paper create a chart, listing ways each character could by symbolized by the mockingbird.

• teaches his children life-lessons/he passes on knowledge to help them grow

• teaches the other birds to sing / gives them ability to make unique music & to protect themselves