Spot a Texas Treasure: Why You’re Missing Out on the State Bird in Plain Sight

During the warmer days in Midland, I like to wake up early on weekend mornings and sit outside while drinking my coffee. My pup sniffs every blade of grass while I listen to the birds.

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It may sound like an old-head thing to do but I like to bird watch. I have seen robins, bluejays, woodpeckers, and a grey common-looking bird. No, it's not a pigeon. This common bird always sings the prettiest song but what is it?

Texas State Bird

Let me introduce you to the Northern Mockingbird.

The plain-looking bird has thin legs and a grey slender body. The mockingbird is no longer than nine to eleven inches long. They have white patches on their wings and outer tail feathers.

The male and female resemble each other except the female has less white feathers and is slightly smaller.

How Texans Can Spot (or Hear) The Mockingbird

Describing the mockingbird, it tends to blend in with its surroundings. It doesn't have bright colors or a distinct shape. This will have any person overlooking the bird but not once you hear it.

The scientific name of the mockingbird is Mimuspolyglottos which means "many-tongued mimic." On top of this bird having its own beautiful song, it can also mock the songs of dozens of other birds.

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According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, the mockingbird will perch on top of a telephone pole or in a tree and sing all day and night. It can sing for more than an hour without stopping and is most likely to sing on moonlit nights.

The mockingbird is known to sing all year long in Texas but is most heard from February to July and late August through October.

Stay alert, becuase you may have seen or heard a mockingbird without realizing it.