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Discover Nature
Candice Davis

Blue jay battles mockingbird

Posted Friday, December 16, 2011, at 4:56 PM

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  • Thanks for sending me back to the mocker I knew once; the mulberry tree soloist of so long ago.

    I miss the Mockingbirds, now that I'm in Northwestern Colorado. If we have any here, I haven't seen them. Or more importantly, heard them.

    For a little while I missed the squawky, but beautiful Blue Jay. Until I met its cousin... the Steller's Jay. They are similar, but with much less white. Often 2 to 4 of them will come sit in the little thicket of trees in the backyard. These birds, midnight blue with a black crest, give a magical appearance against a snowy sky.

    Thanks so much for sharing, for getting me to thinking about what I miss, and about what I appreciate. I always enjoy your blog!

    -- Posted by D2day on Sun, Dec 18, 2011, at 11:08 AM
  • Dear D2day,

    You may get a glimpse of the Northern mockingbird in the spring and summer months, as they expand their range at that time. According to the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, mockers' breeding range reaches into a large portion of Colorado. If you don't already have a good guide book, you may want to purchase one. They also make great Christmas gifts. Mine sits right near my window for quick reference.

    Steller's Jays are beautiful. Although we don't have them here in Missouri, I've admired them in the photos of a friend who's a wonderful wildlife photographer and I've viewed them a bit when visiting out west.

    Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!

    -- Posted by josh.hartwig on Mon, Dec 19, 2011, at 9:46 AM
  • You are just a wealth of information! Thank you so much! I'll be watching and listening for mockers next spring and summer. You just never know.

    -- Posted by D2day on Mon, Dec 19, 2011, at 7:33 PM
  • Thank you so much for this enlightening article. I now more fully understand the quote by Atticus in To Kill a Mockingbird, "Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." When I read the book long ago, I knew nothing about the nature of blue jays or mockingbirds. I decided today to find out more about them. Your blog was the first result and it's as far as I need to go to understand Harper Lee's reference as it relates to characters Tom Robinson, Boo Radley, and Bob Ewell.

    -- Posted by vrabourn on Sun, Sep 29, 2013, at 4:26 PM