This is a beautiful, and very familiar bird. He will allow you to walk close up to him, while engaged in his favorite occupation of scratching among the leaves for seeds, and the larvae of insects. From which the male will mount to the top of some small tree, or high bush, where he will pour out his simple but musical notes, for an hour at a time. While thus engaged, with his mottled black and white plumage, and his splendid long tail, he has a very elegant appearance.

Food

He can be kept, and will thrive well in a cage: it should be a middling large one. Fed on one-third hemp and two-thirds Canary seed, with, twice or thrice a week, a small bit of beef, cut in very small pieces, or prepared, which is better, the same as for the Mocking Bird.

Characteristics Of The Sexes

The male of this bird is easily distinguished from the female; she being reddish brown where the male is black, and the white is not so pure.

Location

Found throughout the United States in summer. In the autumn migrates south.