Bathing Cutey

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I initially planned to title this post ‘Bathing Beauty’ but realized that title was boring and obvious, and didn’t adequately describe the bird images I wanted to use. I mean, look at this silly goober.

The juvenile Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, will become a beauty when older and dryer, but for this particular moment in time, in its wet-n-wild state, it’s a goofy, floofy, cutey bird.

The young Mockingbird, as well as a couple of its elders, have spent time in the back garden recently. Typically, I don’t see many mocks in my back garden, the exception to that observation being during native plant berry season, which has arrived.

American Beauty Berry, Callicarpa americana, is getting its purple on with each passing day. You might notice that not all the berries have gotten the message to change their hues, but enough of the clusters are trading their green for the outrageous purple of maturity and birds have noticed–and noshed.

My two Roughleaf Dogwood trees, Cornus drummondii, also sport berries, though their signature ripe color, creamy white, hasn’t yet appeared. That lack of color change, with its indication of full ready-to-eat ripeness, isn’t stopping the Mockingbirds, European Starlings, or Blue Jays from plucking and gulping, as I’ve observed all three species feeding on the green berries. I guess it’s similar to my eating a peach that isn’t quite ripe, still a little hard, but so delicious that I just can’t help myself.

I hope these resident birds will leave a few fruits for the migratory birds, but there’s probably enough for all who are interested. Besides, the Possumhaw and Yaupon Hollies will be adding their fruit selections to the garden menu in the not-too-distant future.

So bathe away, cutey Mockingbird–and make sure to get your share of the garden snacks!

18 thoughts on “Bathing Cutey”

  1. I have an American beautyberry, too, and had seen the purple, and didn’t know that that was supposed to be happening- thank you! (It’s a 2 year old, still new) Loved the photos of the young bird. He does look a little goofy!

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    • That purple is something, eh? Some years, the birds and squirrel gobble the berries as soon as they’re purple, other years, I get to enjoy them throughout fall. I think it just depends on the supply of food available. This year, I think it’s the first, at least in my garden.

      Hope you’re well, Joan!!

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      • I am well. Still working part time (at the endo center), and helping with my parents (assisted living) ….. getting a perspective on this getting older stuff. Really enjoyed the Chaco canyon piece- I have always wanted to go there. Also enjoying the gardening!- and wildlife that comes with it.

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      • Yup. But I come in, work, spend the night with the folks, work again, then leave town. Won’t be forever.

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  4. I’ve never seen a juvenile mockingbird, so thanks for showing one. Your description as “a goofy, floofy, cutey bird” is as unique as it is appropriate.

    The American beautyberry fruit on the bushes in our yard is likewise showing a range of colors from green through purple. This seems to be a lush year for the species.

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  5. I often see ‘teenaged’ mockingbirds trailing their parents around, screaming for food, but I’ve never seen one so young. It is a darling — of course, bathing birds are generally fun and cute, but this one’s a special treat.

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    • I love the watch the juvenile birds, they’re such clowns! I think the funniest of them are the juvies of the monk parakeets that visit our garden, they’re such knuckleheads!

      I thought this mockingbirds was darling. I’d seen him/her around and enjoyed his flitting from shrub to tree, but was glad I had my camera in hand when I saw him in the bath.

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