We all enjoy the songs sung by our backyard birds.  However, many of our feathered neighbors do not sing in autumn.  Fortunately, for us both male and female mockingbirds continue singing long after most other songsters have migrated or our permanent resident feathered vocalists have closed their songbooks for the year.

       Mockingbirds most often sing from February through August and September through November.  Ornithologists tell us the repertoire of songs sung by these popular backyard birds differs somewhat during these two distinct periods of the year.

       It is interesting to note that while both male and female mockingbirds sing, the songs sung by the females from September into November are more subdued.

       I must admit that I have never noticed this difference. This fall I am going to try to pay attention to more mockingbirds and the mockingbird songs I hear in my backyard. I hope that I will detect some of these differences. Even, if I do not notice any variations, just taking a little more time to listen to the songs I too often take for granted will add to my backyard experiences.