Today, I was talking to a local farmer, and after she told me about all the animals she is raising on her farm, I said: “My only livestock is my mockingbird.” And while I said that laughingly, it is true that I am a bit perplexed about the mockingbird that has become my best outside pet.

I have a rather large backyard in Mississippi. I am rather surprised that one solitary mockingbird is about the only bird that I have noticed in my yard. Throughout the summer, I saw him skittering about one of my shrubs. I am surprised that I even noticed him. Mockingbirds are not gloriously colorful birds–like cardinals and bluejays. Mockingbirds are rather beige and brown–not my favorite colors. But since I don’t have many other birds in my yard now, I have grown to appreciate him more and more.

A couple of days ago, I was busy cleaning up my garden area, and I noticed him. He was resting on the arbor that leads into my rose garden. I have noticed him there several times before. I set up that arbor in December, and I planted two Zephirine Drouhin roses–one on either side of the arch. The roses are still small, but it seems that this is my mockingbird’s favorite place to greet me when I am in my garden.

The first time I noticed my mockingbird on that perch was about a month ago. It was cold and bleak. Sleet had begun to fall. He was a warm and welcome sight to me, and I wrote the following:

Little shards of sleet fell upon the frozen ground. A mockingbird greeted me at my back door. Chittering chinks of ice filled the air.
Jacki Kellum Journal January 15, 2024

Northern Mockingbird – Image Credit: Flickr

Until two days ago, I had not been outside much since the day of that freeze in January,  but after I saw my loyal bird back on his perch,  I promptly came inside and began a search for what he might like to eat. When the ground was frozen and snow was on the ground, I turned my cupboards inside out–seeking to feed him, but I realized that I needed to find some food for him that was more healthful. Mockingbirds do not seem to eat at birdfeeders much, but I discovered that they might enjoy suet. I ordered my best bird a suet cake and a holder for it. He deserves a reward. But before I tell you about the feeding station I have created, I want to expound upon my surprise that one mockingbird seems to be the only bird that frequents my yard. I only moved here a few months ago. Perhaps before I moved here, this mockingbird became aggressive and that is why other birds are not here, but my bird does not seem to be aggressive. He seems to be friendly–like a pet. Almost every time I am outside now, he frequently comes down to welcome me. It just seems unusual. I did some research, and I discovered that some people believe that mockingbirds are a kind of spirit animal–that they are harbingers of something almost spiritual.

What does it mean when you see a mockingbird?

“Seeing a mockingbird could simply mean that you have one or two living in the neighborhood. However, if you see a mockingbird in certain situations, it could mean something more.

“…the universe just might be telling you something of serious importance. Mostly, since mockingbirds are strongly associated with self-expression, it could be a reminder to be yourself and not be afraid to show who you really are.” Birdzilla

Innocence

Mockingbirds are powerful symbols of innocence. It’s no wonder the bird played such a prominent role in Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”. These cheerful birds might sing from the top of a house but they don’t do it out of spite or to show off.” Birdzilla

Individuality

“Mockingbirds are one of the best avian symbols of individuality. If they had beliefs, these cheeky birds would never abandon them. If the bird feels like singing in the middle of the night, it’s going to do it. When a mockingbird wants to forage on the front lawn, right in front of us, that’s what the bird does.

“It reminds us to always be ourselves, to not be afraid to express our true colors. Better to be honest and show who you are than pretend to be something else. Although mockingbirds mimic other birds, they still do it in their own, special way.” Birdzilla

What does the mockingbird symbolize?

“The mockingbird symbolizes freedom of expression, innocence, the ability to imitate, and individualism.”

What does the mockingbird mean in mythology?

“In mythology, the mockingbird means a bird that acts as a spiritual messenger or guardian.” Birdzilla

Conclusions

“In many places, mockingbirds might be common, everyday birds but they still hold special meaning. As they sing and nest in the backyard, mockingbirds act as innocent, priceless entertainment.

“However, they also symbolize much more. In addition, if a mockingbird follows you or gets your attention in other ways, the universe might be telling you something.

“These lovely birds remind us of the importance of expressing ourselves and having faith to show who we really are. They can also remind us to explore our more creative side and to take innocent inspiration from others.

“Most of all, mockingbirds can remind us to pay attention to birds, no matter how often we see them!” Patrick O’Donnell Birdzilla

I’m not sure that I buy the theory that my mockingbird is some type of spiritual messenger, but I must admit that in moving back to Mississippi–veritably in moving to this specific house–I am on a mission to reconnect with something within myself. I am beginning to wonder if my mockingbird is more than a mere backyard bird.

“In the mythology of many Native American cultures, the mockingbird is an important bird. In some myths, the mockingbird is portrayed as:

• An intelligent teacher

  In the creation myths of the Hopi and other Pueblo tribes, the mockingbird is said to have taught the people how to speak.
• A diplomat

  In Native American culture, the mockingbird is portrayed as a diplomat and peace-maker.
• A guardian

  In Shasta Indian mythology, the mockingbird is the guardian of the dead.
• A spiritual messenger

  In mythology, the mockingbird is a bird that acts as a spiritual messenger or guardian.” Google ai

I like the following Native American Myth:

“In the beginning, all animals were colorless and had no voices. They had to be painted and taught their language by the Old One.

“The Old One gathered all the birds together in a line in order to teach them their songs and to paint their patterns and colors so that they could recognize the birds of their own species. The line included all the birds of the Southwest. It was a long line, and some of the birds were impatient, especially the Raven. Since he was a large bird, he was able to push and bully his way to the front. Suddenly he tripped and fell into the pot of black paint. As punishment for his rudeness, the Old One made him remain black with no pattern and only taught him how to squawk in a rough voice. That is why he looks and sounds like he does.

“At the very end of the line was the Mockingbird who had been very patient. By time he got to the Old One, the only paint left was black; so the old one used black to paint a pretty pattern of black and gray. As a special reward for the Mockingbird’s patience, the Old One said, “You have been listening to me teach all the other birds their songs; now they all belong to you.” So, you have probably heard that patience is its own reward; I guess that’s all the proof you need.”  Saddle Bag Notes

A WORD ABOUT MOCKINGBIRDS AND SINGING

I don’t know why I have assumed that my mockingbird is male. I have begun to wonder if my favorite bird is female. Everything I have read about these birds says that mockingbirds are constantly singing, and yet, I have never heard my mockingbird sing. The following post says that the females are much quieter than the males:

Singing and calls

“Mockingbirds are famous for their beautiful and impressive singing talents, with a high-pitched tuneful chorus and the ability to mimic a wide range of other sounds. While the males are credited with the louder, long-lasting musical performances, females also sing, but are notably quieter and less vocal.

“Female mockingbirds are more likely to be heard in winter and spring and tend not to sing when males are nearby.” Birdfact

Unlike other bird species, the female mockingbird looks almost exactly like a male. I admit that I do not know the sex of my bird, but I am convinced that my mockingbird is somehow special at this time in my life, and as I said before, I am feeding this mockingbird royally. 

My mockingbird likes the following suet:

I set up my little bird feeding station with this suet late yesterday, and surely enough, I saw my birmunching on on the suet first thing this morning.  Following is a photo of the feeding station I set up. I will hang red jars for hummingbirds at the top, and I hung the suet in a cage beneath that area. I did not buy the tallest station. I bought the unit that is about 6′ tall, and it seems to suit my mockingbird fine.