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Make Like a Killdeer
STEFFRO1

Make Like a Killdeer (Mimus polyglottos)

This is Killdeer country so when I saw the wings spreading over and over again I thought of the Killdeer trick of playing having a broken wing to lore predators away from the nest. I was very surprised to see it was a Mocker and not sure what it was doing. At John's Bay, Murrells Inlet, SC
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Habitat
Vacant development lot
Location
John's Bay, Murrells Inlet, SC
Date taken
4/30/2016
Scientific name
Mimus polyglottos
Equipment used
Nikon D7200 with Tamron 150-600mm lens
Doc Duck
Supporter
Maybe just trying to keep its balance atop a spindly straw? Or maybe trying to attract your attention for a great photo? ;)
 
delia todd
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
LOL Doc... she's a great imagination, hasn't she Bob?!!

A super picture this lad, showing great wing action.

I remember reading about this behaviour a while ago and there appeared to be a few thoughts on it, the most common was trying to flush insects. There's a thread linked to in Opus where it's been discussed, you can access it here: http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Northern_Mockingbird#References.

Thanks for sharing it with us my friend.
 
KC Foggin
Staff member
Opus Editor
Supporter
Oh my! Doesn't it look quite fierce in this image. Perhaps a nest nearby? A beautiful moment to capture Bob.
 
blue185jay
I don't think he would take any trash off of anyone! Great image. I think he was flashing the spots on his under his wings to flush insects, or at least that is what I read someplace that the spots are for.
 
Macswede
Great behaviour shot, Robert! Maybe it's been taking lessons from the Killdeers. :)
 

Media information

Category
North America
Added by
STEFFRO1
Date added
View count
27
Comment count
6

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