Mimid songs

Gray Catbird song including mimicry of Wood Thrush (9, 19, 32s), American Robin (2, 27, 38s) and Common Grackle (24, 49s). Also possible Eurasian Starling (11s) and Blue Jay (34s),(June, PA).

American Robin at 2s







Wood Thrush at 19s






Common Grackle at 24s






Song featuring frequent Acadian Flycatcher mimicry, and Ovenbird (88s), Carolina Wren 181s), Carolina Chickadee (186s)(June, PA).


A simpler song with two different phrases (July, NJ)










Another simple song with Blue Jay-like phrases (June, PA).











This bird was displaying in front of another bird and singing a subdued song with repeated phrases, including mimicry of Eastern Kingbird at 6s (May, NJ)

phrases 5-8 on the recording









Another example of the repetitive song, and again the singing bird was displaying to another (May, PA).











On other occasions the song shows much more variety. This bird sang continuously for over six minutes, towards the end dropping down into a bush to sing with reduced volume, at which point another bird emerged from the bush, most likely a mate (May, PA).


Northern Mockingbird featuring a number of imitations, including (in order of appearance) Northern Flicker, American Kestrel, American Robin, Greater Yellowlegs, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Hairy Woodpecker, Virginia Rail, Carolina Wren, Blue Jay and Northern Cardinal (May, NJ). Mockingbirds are unusual among birds in that they continue to add to their repertoire throughout life (see Mimicry I).

Northern Flicker imitation at 4s







American Kestrel imitation at 10s







Greater Yellowlegs imitation at 19s










Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Hairy Wood-pecker imitation at 24s









Virginia Rail imitation at 38s








Northern Mockingbirds sing in the fall while establishing winter territories (Oct, PA)












Songs and calls of about six Northern Mockingbirds in close proximity (Oct, PA)





The Brown Thrasher has thousands of different songs, each of which it often repeats twice (with Chipping Sparrow calls, May, NJ).



















Brown Thrasher whisper song.
This newly arrived Brown Thrasher sang high in a tree then dropped down low into a bush and began singing a whisper song, before rising again to sing the primary song after about 15 minutes.
The whisper song is heard in aggressive interactions or close to a female (BNA). There did not appear to be another bird in close proximity, but another male later began singing not far away (heard in the background of the primary song recording below). There is some mimicry including American Robin at 21s, Ruby-crowned Kinglet at 24s and Carolina Wren jeer at 34s. The bird was only about ten feet from the microphone.
(Blue Jay calling first 20s, 2.00pm, mid-April, PA).

Sonagrams from 23s onwards.








Primary song by the same bird.