Mockingbird Chased Me In The Yard To The Front Door

@CarolDM (203454)

Nashville, Tennessee

July 21, 2021 2:41pm CST

How about that for a visual. No photos. No videos. I was busy running to the front door. This has never happened in my yard. I have seen them chase a cat I had years ago. I was minding my own business. Taking photos of the bees on the rose of sharon. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, a mockingbird comes swooping down on my head. I could feel him on my hair. I thought at first there must be babies somewhere. This is the behavior of an adult protecting their babies. But in late July, most baby birds have flown away. Whatever the reason, I was not sticking around to find out. To the front door I went and he was with me every step. Photo was taken last fall of a mockingbird on my my deck. No photos of this one on my head. Yes, now it is funny.

38 people like this

35 responses

@kobesbuddy (74553)

• East Tawas, Michigan

21 Jul 21

I wonder why that mockingbird was so protective! It must feel like your yard belongs to him(her!)

8 people like this

show previous comments

@kobesbuddy (74553)

• East Tawas, Michigan

21 Jul 21

@CarolDM I wonder why they are having babies, this late in the year. Maybe a second bunch is in the nest.

3 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

21 Jul 21

@kobesbuddy I never saw any babies, I am just saying that is the only reason I have ever seen them be so aggressive.

3 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

21 Jul 21

They always do if they hav babies.

4 people like this

Show more comments

@snowy22315 (169960)

• United States

21 Jul 21

You were in "his" yard. Years, ago my sister's cat got pecked on the head by a Blue Jay.

8 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

21 Jul 21

I know right. Blue jays can be aggressive. But never been chased.

6 people like this

@much2say (53959)

• Los Angeles, California

21 Jul 21

Oh my! I've seen mockingbirds dart for their target - they sure mean business! I'm glad you were able to take cover just in time!

4 people like this

show previous comments

@much2say (53959)

• Los Angeles, California

21 Jul 21

Can you imagine if they actually had photo evidence of your encounter with the mockingbird

?

3 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

21 Jul 21

I know, I hope the neighbors didn't see me!

3 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

21 Jul 21

@much2say I just remembered it may be on our security camera. Oh no, I have to go look. How embarrasing.

5 people like this

Show more comments

@FourWalls (62125)

• United States

21 Jul 21

Was it mocking you the whole time?? You and me (remember my run-in with the pigeons earlier this year?) need to look into doing a remake of The Birds.

6 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

21 Jul 21

I thought of The Birds on my way to the door.

3 people like this

@Deepizzaguy (94512)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

21 Jul 21

It is interesting to know that a mockingbird chasing you to your front door from the outside of your home.

5 people like this

show previous comments

@marlina (154166)

• Canada

22 Jul 21

@CarolDM ,I probably would have been yelling

1 person likes this

@Deepizzaguy (94512)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

22 Jul 21

@CarolDM I know what you mean since mockingbirds are scary birds.

3 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

21 Jul 21

A scary situation for a minute.

5 people like this

Show more comments

@asianlady (2697)

• Ireland

21 Jul 21

What a cute bird, Carol. It would be nice if I can touch it.

5 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

21 Jul 21

Thanks, he touched my head today.

4 people like this

@asianlady (2697)

• Ireland

21 Jul 21

@CarolDM Oh! You are lucky.

3 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

21 Jul 21

@asianlady Yes I am.

3 people like this

@GardenGerty (157551)

• United States

21 Jul 21

They never chased me, but when I was a girl they sure chased our cats. Is it possible they had a late hatch?

3 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

21 Jul 21

I suppose it is possible. I have not seen them but that doesn't mean they are not out there somewhere.

1 person likes this

@kaylachan (57647)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

21 Jul 21

Maybe it thought there was food in your hair?

3 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

21 Jul 21

Good one!

2 people like this

@kanuck1 (4394)

•

21 Jul 21

I wasn't aware that they are so aggressive! The one in the picture looks so majestic and fearless.

3 people like this

show previous comments

@kanuck1 (4394)

•

22 Jul 21

@CarolDM So, normally they are not aggressive,only when they feel threatened.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

21 Jul 21

Yes they all can be aggressive with babies. Not sure if this was the case today. The photo was taken in the fall. They usually have babies in the spring and early summer.

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

22 Jul 21

@kanuck1 Right. Like in the photo, you see how calm it seems. He was on my deck last fall here.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

Sabrina Traversa

@sabtraversa (12937)

• Italy

21 Jul 21

At least he didn't hurt, but it must have been scary. I had a crow following me once for unknown reasons. Very cute critters but scary when they "cross boundaries".

3 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

21 Jul 21

It was a little scary, usually they do not run me all over the yard.

2 people like this

@Juliaacv (48420)

• Canada

21 Jul 21

That was just plain rude. Maybe she forgot that the babies have flown the nest.

3 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

21 Jul 21

I have no idea. Just went out in the backyard and there she was again.

2 people like this

@Vikingswest1 (6305)

• United States

21 Jul 21

Hahah Now the little jerk knows that if he buzzes you, you'll run away. I lost a lot of strawberries this year from the BlueJays by being passive and surrendering the berries because they were defending their young. This one is clearly just messing with you. You'll need to make a stand or risk attack daily until it moves on. Maybe a colorful hat? It could frighten it away but if it doesn't, you can use it as a weapon if it buzzes you.

3 people like this

show previous comments

@Vikingswest1 (6305)

• United States

21 Jul 21

@CarolDM It couldn't hurt lol.

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

21 Jul 21

I have been dive bombed many times but this was a chase. I could not get to the door fast enough! I might consider wearing a hat from now on.

2 people like this

Show more comments

@Hannihar (129470)

• Israel

22 Jul 21

@CarolDM If he was still on your head how did you shake him off?

2 people like this

show previous comments

@Hannihar (129470)

• Israel

23 Jul 21

@CarolDM I hope he never comes back again. I bet that was very scary.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

23 Jul 21

@Hannihar He never left but I am ok.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

22 Jul 21

He flew away on his own as i was running.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@DocAndersen (54413)

• United States

22 Jul 21

sorry about that - perhaps there was food near you?

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

22 Jul 21

No food, only my camera. Mockingbirds can be aggressive. I remember one chasing Momma Kitty once.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

22 Jul 21

@DocAndersen I didn't know I could move that fast.

1 person likes this

@DocAndersen (54413)

• United States

22 Jul 21

@CarolDM wow, well glad you were able to move fast enough to get out of the way

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@LadyDuck (458091)

• Switzerland

22 Jul 21

Birds are very protective and it is better not to be around when they chase you. This is a beautiful photo and the mockingbird brought back to my mind a very old song.

2 people like this

show previous comments

@LadyDuck (458091)

• Switzerland

22 Jul 21

@CarolDM I have the song in my head and I cannot remember the title, it will come back.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

22 Jul 21

@LadyDuck James Taylor and Carly Simon performed Mockingbird. That is the one I remember.

Mockingbird - Carly Simon & James Taylor

Concert at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1LjdVLGiTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mockingbird/id797531767?i=797531852&uo=4&at=10l5FrOfficial Website: http...

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

22 Jul 21

Thanks! I took this one in the fall. He was calm as there were no babies around. I too remember a song about a mockingbird.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@moffittjc (118442)

• Gainesville, Florida

22 Jul 21

You should keep a tennis racket with you when you go outside. It's like a fly swatter, only for birds! lol Seriously, I wonder what agitated the mockingbird? Could it have been the colors of your outfit you were wearing?

2 people like this

show previous comments

@moffittjc (118442)

• Gainesville, Florida

24 Jul 21

@CarolDM If your neighbors have video of this hilarious event, I hope you can get a copy and post it for us all to see!

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

24 Jul 21

@moffittjc I am afraid to ask them.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

22 Jul 21

I know right! It is kind of funny now and I hope none of my neighbor's caught me on video. The only thing I can think of is babies somewhere. All birds do this to protect babies. I did have a red shirt on but I have never known mockingbirds to go after colors.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@cacay1 (83223)

• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines

22 Jul 21

She is so cute and friendly Birds and animals in your country are friendly for you are also animals and birds friendly. They are not afraid to humans.

2 people like this

show previous comments

@cacay1 (83223)

• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines

24 Jul 21

really, she looks so energetic and wise birdie.

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

22 Jul 21

This one was not so friendly yesterday.

2 people like this

Show more comments

@HazySue (39264)

• Gouverneur, New York

22 Jul 21

I think he must have been trying to protect something. It may be that he has claimed your yard as his own.

2 people like this

show previous comments

@HazySue (39264)

• Gouverneur, New York

26 Jul 21

@CarolDM He seems to like your garden.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

22 Jul 21

It could be, he also was in the backyard later when I went out to the garden.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

26 Jul 21

@HazySue He loves those beetle bugs.

1 person likes this

@Shiva49 (26200)

• Singapore

22 Jul 21

It wants to make clear who is the real boss!

2 people like this

show previous comments

@Shiva49 (26200)

• Singapore

22 Jul 21

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

22 Jul 21

I will gladly let him be boss for now.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@arunima25 (85277)

• Bangalore, India

22 Jul 21

No babies around. Then what made it be so protective. Maybe was being protective about the bees

or maybe it was being possessive about the beautiful rose of Sharon and did not want to share it with anyone

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

22 Jul 21

There can be babies hiding that I can't see perhaps. They are known for their aggressive behavior.

1 person likes this

@arunima25 (85277)

• Bangalore, India

25 Jul 21

@CarolDM Oh! I see.

1 person likes this