wesm Loc: Los Altos CA

Every summer, a few of these come back to our neighborhood, South Bay near San Francisco. I haven't been able to get a shot of one in flight, but it looks to me like the wings are barred with white when extended.

They have the most amazing repertoire of calls. They never seem to repeat a phrase more than a few times, then it's on to something totally new and different. Wonderful to listen to! I'm wondering if they are some kind of mockingbird?

thanks
//w

Bill_de Loc: US

Looks like a Mockingbird to me. They can be noisy. I have a pair nesting in a bush. When I go by when cutting the grass one attacks.

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PceKzAizUb0

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ggttc Loc: TN

Mockingbird...can imitate around 30 different birds.

Haydon

Agreed it's a mockingbird.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMpe34Aign4

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Yes it is a mockingbird. They can imitate just about any other bird and other things.
One down the street from the last house lived in learned car alarms. Drove the people with pet cars nuts, they were always running out of the apartment house to check their wheels.

There is also the story of the guy from the US and his friend from Europe (these guys were "Birders") who argued about the European's claiming that the Nightingale could not be touched for its song beauty. So they set up a challenge, a caged Nightingale in the US guys yard. Within two days all the mockers for a block around were doing the Nightingale perfectly.

And yes, they are territorial and aggressive. I have seen them harass crows, ravens and hawks. Often several cooperating.

rydabyk Loc: Florida Panhandle

Yep, Mockingbird, we have them everywhere here in the Florida Panhandle.

hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA

They are all over So. Cal. also.

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

Looks and sounds like a Mockingbird. Love 'em!!

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

I don't know what it is, but what a beautiful photo, Wes!