What's going on, Albuquerque?

big, light gray songbird

I live in the NW valley and I hear this songbird in the morning, around 7-8am. The song is a variety of different note combinations repeated 4-6 times. Beautiful. I finally saw the bird this morning. Looks almost like a gray jay; very light gray/white breast, long tail. Occasionally it would flutter up into the sky and the tail was white on the edges, black in the center. Maybe a courtship dance? What could it be?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bosque Bill on May 24, 2011 at 8:19pm

Did it also have white patches on its wings? Sounds like a Northern Mockingbird. Google that and see if it fits.

Permalink Reply by JMG on May 24, 2011 at 8:22pm

Yes, that's it! My bird book didn't show this, but I told my husband it seemed like a mockingbird. Thanks for the ID. Really nice bird.

Permalink Reply by JMG on May 28, 2011 at 9:36am

Permalink Reply by Debby S on May 28, 2011 at 12:50pm

I've been watching one recently and was pretty sure he was a Northern Mockingbird (or a Townsend's Solitaire, but more likely the NM). Very loud, very happy, very good combining and making up complex songs about his 2-block long territory. I could easily hear him a block away. Likes to sit atop tall trees and inform the world that, Hey! It's morning! Everyone up and at 'em!. I saw him flying and there were white patches under its dark wings. What a long tail! No doubt helps him maneuver. Very likable bird (though there isn't one living near me to keep me awake at night...).