Thanks! Rained passed and I camped outside the last two nights (heard the jaguar(?) wailing twice, once at 10:45 p.m., once at 5 a.m.-the neighborhood dogs went nuts) and heard the first Louisiana Waterthrush singing this spring! I knew when they were reported in Murray KY on the birdky list serve last night to expect them today, and I even thought I saw one sneaking through the trees by the creek yesterday evening. I'm heading to the Minor Clark Fish Hatchery to see if anything is migrating though

The only bird you've listed that uses a cavity to nest in is the House Sparrow. House Sparrows do not need a cavity to nest in, but they will use one. All the other birds you have listed will not use a nest box. I would never let a House Sparrow nest in one of my boxes, but maybe it doesn't matter so much in the city?

Congrats on your Mocker, and it's a nice pic!! Oh...those crazy Mockers. I just love mine. They can really dominate a yard, but they are so much fun to watch. I had 2 pairs that built their nests fairly close to one another in my yard this spring. It has been a riot to watch them try to coexist peacefully. They aren't always so successful, and squabbles break out often. Now, I am watching the juveniles "get their attitudes on." I think that one of my males has decided to try to break a Guiness World Record for the longest constant vocalizations. That boy sings all day long and all night long, flying from perch to perch to stake his claim to territory. So funny! Here is a recent shot of one of the parents with a fledgling in my yard, and another shot of 2 of the fledglings together.~~Angie

Mockingbirds are protected by Federal and State law. They are great to have around a garden, as they eat all kinds of insects, and feed their babies insects exclusively.