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The Sound of the Mockingbird




The northern mockingbird is the only mockingbird commonly found in North America. Even his name sounds beautiful- "Mimus Polyglottos," meaning many-tongued mimic. I captured his song on 5-1-19, in East Dallas Junius Heights District, at the corner of Beacon and Victor. I used a parabolic microphone of my own design (see picture.) It's 14 minutes of continuous output, from the top of his favorite telephone pole. I used the audio app Audacity to clean it up. It contains at least 30 different bird calls, songs, and general squawks. Thanks to the many local residents who helped me locate him, as well as other up-and-coming crooners.

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