March 25, 2013
A Mockingbird Guards Its Turf
Mockingbirds are extremely territorial, especially when it comes to protecting a source of food from competitors. This bird is guarding the fruit on some Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) shrubs at Kingsley Park. These berries are an important source of nutrition in late winter when food is scarce, and a flock of robins or cedar waxwings could consume them all in a single foray.