Santa Barbara's Midnight Bird Singers

Santa Barbara is full of singing birds this time of year. The House Finch has a cheery song and seems to prefer close association with us, often building its nest in hanging flower pots on our porch or in a vine twining over our front door. The male finch is easy to spot with a robust red on his face and chest, while the female – though often joining her mate in song – is a plainer striped brown bird. 

But no bird captures our attention like the Northern Mockingbird. Even the most distracted among us can’t help but hear this inventive singer. Called Mimus polyglottos (for a mimic with a variety of songs), the mockingbird laces it melodious songs with a variety of borrowed sounds including, but not exclusively – the squeaks of a rusty gate.

During breeding season, the mockingbird sings its remarkable song all day long and often into the night. The bird singing down your chimney at 2 am is probably a desperate male still trying to attract a mate.

Sometimes a mockingbird seems so overwhelmed with ecstasy that it will rise above its perch on open, gray and white wings, floating back down, never missing a beat. Beware this fierce bird though. If you or your cat or dog approaches its nest too closely, it will attack, delivering smart blows to the head.