Re: Interesting Article - "Singing In The Brain"

["Dan Dugan" dandugan_1999]

geopaul7 wrote:
>Along these lines, I have noticed that Mockingbirds in different
>parts of the country appear
>to  mimic different species, found in those different parts of the
>country (Louisiana vs.
>Arizona for example).  I have never read anything published on this.
>It seems unlikely that
>each individual bird learned the details of each song from hearing
>each of those different
>species throughout its lifetime.  Indeed, the mimic of species
>appeared in areas where that
>song was seldom heard, but "around."  The songs appear to be
>"cultural" to that extent.

The mockingbird I heard last night near the Las Vegas strip had a
markedly edgier tone than those I've heard elsewhere. I suspect it
has to do with being around long-tailed grackles.

-Dan Dugan