We much more often hear a mockingbird than see one. But for the past couple of days one has been visiting our suet feeder. Yesterday I wasn't able to get the cameras to focus (it's autofocus-only and it often doesn't work for objects fairly close but which still require a telephoto setting).
But today I was able to get several shots.
He's a slender, gray bird, often described as "Robin-sized - technically Mimus polyglottos - and I always enjoy hearing one while I'm walking. They have a never-ending song that imitates other birds, one after the other, ad infinitum.
It is certainly not often when I'm treated to a long view and also rare in the winter. And yet his season is coming soon.
Later [02/19/23]:
While I was working on lunch a mockingbird again visited our suet feeder. Tom says this is not the same bird. I thought the one above was "heavy" and perhaps pregnant? Sexing a mockingbird is not easy. A male is slightly larger but if they're not seen at the same time, it's difficult making a comparison. And it is said females have darker tail feathers than males.
Here's a look at today's visitor:
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