Northern Mockingbird With Nesting Material in My Yard

On July 19, I photographed a Northern Mockingbird in my yard carrying nesting material. A pair of these birds has started building a nest in a pine tree just a few feet from my deck.

Nesting Right Next to the Bird Feeders

The pine tree they’ve chosen is a popular staging area for many birds before they head to my nearby feeders. That’s what concerns me. If you’ve spent any time around Northern Mockingbirds, you know how fiercely territorial they can be. Once this pair finishes the nest and lays eggs, things might get intense for the other birds that frequent this area.

Mockingbirds are known to chase, dive at, and harass just about any bird that gets too close to their nesting spot. And now that their chosen location is so close to my feeder setup, I’m bracing for conflict.

A History of Backyard Mockingbird Drama

This isn’t the first time I’ve had to deal with Mockingbird aggression in my yard. Back in January, I shared a story about one particularly hostile individual in a post titled “Territorial Northern Mockingbird Aggression: A Backyard Crisis”. Things calmed down for a while, but now it looks like I’m in for round two.

Earlier this month, on July 4th, I even spotted baby Northern Mockingbirds hopping around, which suggests this pair may have already had one successful brood this season. It seems they’re now ready for another.

What Comes Next?

If they manage to complete the nest without incident, I expect the real drama to begin once eggs are laid. The feeders bring in a variety of songbirds, many of which rely on that pine tree for cover. I’ll be keeping a close eye on how the Mockingbirds handle the traffic. Will they allow others near, or will they aggressively clear the area?

Either way, it’s going to make for some interesting photography and field notes over the coming weeks.

Note: The Northern Mockingbirds nesting in my yard have been driving away other birds from the feeders, including a dramatic takedown of a female Cardinal. I’ve moved the feeders to help ease the tension. Read the full update: https://stevecreek.com/northern-mockingbirds-drive-away-other-birds-near-feeders/