SUBURBAN FEATHERED CHARACTERS

     Carolina wrens and northern mockingbirds hail from different families of birds, yet they have some like characteristics because of their similar lifestyles in shared habitats.  Their two species converged because their mutual thicket and woodland edge habitat of sapling trees, shrubbery and vines molded them into similar beings.  And now they are also prominent species on suburban lawns throughout the eastern United States the year around.  

     Both these adaptable species of small, attractive birds are originally from the American South.  But mockers, as a species, pushed north in the 1950's, and wrens did so during the 1970's.  Now both kinds are in the north to stay, bringing their brands of entertaining beauty, song and intrigue to northern suburban lawns, as well as lawns in the South.  

     Carolina wrens and northern mockingbirds are handsome in plain, camouflaged ways.  The wrens are warm-brown all over, with a white stripe over each eye and a tail cocked upright.  Mockers are gray mostly, with white markings on their wings and long tails.  

     Neither species migrates to avoid northern winters.  Rather, they both remain permanently near where they hatched, including on suburban lawns planted to sheltering shrubbery, trees and vines.

     During warmer months, both species ingest invertebrates, and feed them to their young.  In winter, the wrens continue to eat invertebrates, and their eggs, but in sheltered places free of ice and snow, such as in log piles and under brush piles. 

     Mockers, however, turn to eating various kinds of berries on trees, vines and bushes during winter, including those on hackberry and crab apple trees, multiflora rose and Tartarian honeysuckle bushes and poison ivy and bittersweet vines.  Each mocker sets up a winter territory around abundant berries, which he or she defends from other mockers, and flocks of starlings, American robins and other kinds of birds.  Each mocker wants to keep its "store" of berries for itself, which is a matter of survival.  

     Carolina wrens and northern mockingbirds also go to bird feeders in winter to consume sunflower seeds, suet and other kinds of seeds.  Those foods supplement their diets, and provide more beauty and entertainment at the feeders.    

     Carolina wrens are sprightly, and ready to break into rolling, chanting song the year around, which adds to their charm, endearment and entertainment.  They are heard far more often than seen because of their being small, camouflaged and secretive under cover in shrubbery.  It's always a treat to see or hear a pair of these birds in our suburban New Holland, Pennsylvania neighborhood through each year.

     As a species, Carolina wrens nest in unusual places; almost any sheltering spot, whether natural or human-made.  Some pairs raise young in brush piles, under fallen logs and crevices between boulders.  And others rear offspring in garages, barns, under vehicles, in outdoor grills, under porches and decks, and other places that protect their young from predators and the weather.  

     Northern mockingbirds raise young among sheltering shrubbery, and search for invertebrates in those bushes and on short-grass lawns to feed their offspring.  

     Part of mockers' entertainment is their ability to imitate the songs of other birds singing around them.  But mockingbirds have lovely, charming songs of their own as well, which they sometimes sing on moonlit nights in summer, which adds to their charm.

     Carolina wrens and northern mockingbirds are lovely, charming birds that are enjoyable to have among shrubbery on suburban lawns the year around.  We are blessed to have them. 

     



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