Mimic Extraordinaire...

Growing up in Miami, I didn't give Northern Mockingbirds a second thought. They were an ever-present part of my natural surroundings. I still see them on our morning and afternoon walks here in Gainesville, but they very seldom grace our yard with their incredibly extensive repertoire of sounds. Mockingbirds prefer more open spaces and I'm guessing that our yard is a bit too grown-in for them. 
Mocks are masters of mimicry. They are great imitators of the calls of other birds and an entire range of sounds such as; car alarms, frogs, cats and dogs, even cell phones! They use these sounds to attract mates, for territorial defense and because they enjoy it, I'm sure! Mockingbirds are omnivores, eating mostly insects in the summer and berries, fruits and seeds in the fall and winter. m