What bird says breaker breaker?

The phrase “breaker breaker” is commonly associated with truckers using CB radios to communicate on the road. However, there is one particular bird species that has been observed using a call that sounds like “breaker breaker”: the northern mockingbird.

The northern mockingbird is known for its ability to mimic sounds and calls of other birds and animals. Some individuals have been documented mimicking sounds like car alarms, barking dogs, and even cell phone ringtones. So it’s no surprise that mockingbirds in certain areas have incorporated trucker jargon into their vocal repertoire.

The Northern Mockingbird

The northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) is a medium-sized songbird found throughout much of the United States. Here are some key facts about this clever mimic:

• Scientific name: Mimus polyglottos
• Other common names: Mocker
• Size: 8.5-10.5 inches long with a wingspan of 12-13.5 inches
• Coloration: Gray upperparts, white underside, white patches on wings
• Habitat: Open areas with shrubs and small trees, urban and suburban areas
• Range: Found across the continental United States, southern Canada, northern Mexico
• Diet: Insects, fruits, berries, seeds, small lizards
• Lifespan: Up to 8 years in the wild
• Conservation status: Least concern

The northern mockingbird is known for its complex songs and ability to mimic. A single mockingbird can learn over 200 unique songs in its lifetime. Both male and female mockingbirds sing, especially to mark their territory. Mockingbirds often pick up sounds from their environment and weave them into their songs, from other birds to car alarms. This adaptability and learning ability is why the mockingbird is associated with the “breaker breaker” trucker call.

Mockingbirds Imitating CB Radio Calls

In certain areas where mockingbirds and truckers overlap, some mockingbirds have incorporated the trucker phrases “breaker breaker” and “10-4” into their vocalizations. Likely first picking up the sounds from passing semi-trucks, mockingbirds replicate the unique rhythms and tones of CB radio communication.

Truckers relying on CB radios often use the phrase “breaker breaker” followed by their handle or truck number to initiate a conversation, similar to saying “Roger” over a traditional radio. 10-4 is the CB code to acknowledge a message received and understood.

When mockingbirds in trucking-heavy locations mimic these phrases, it results in comical bird calls that sound like:

• “Breaker breaker, this is the mockingbird, over.”
• “10-4 good buddy, loud and clear.”

The mockingbirds manage to pick up on the unique cadence of how truckers speak over their radios and integrate it precisely into the birds’ songs and calls. It’s a real cross-over between bird vocalizations and human technology!

Where Trucker Mockingbirds Are Found

Mockingbirds that mimic trucker lingo have been documented most often in locations that have high volumes of semi-truck traffic passing through. Some hotspots include:

• Highway rest areas or weigh stations in central California and Arizona.
• Truck stops along Interstate 10 through Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
• Port areas near Houston, Texas that have constant truck traffic.
• Main trucking routes in the Midwest like I-70, I-80, and I-90.

If you spend time at any of these locations, listen closely to the local mockingbird population. You just might hear a convincingly bird-like “10-4” or “breaker breaker” call amongst their song repertoire.

Why Mockingbirds Imitate These Sounds

There are a few key reasons why mockingbirds specifically imitate trucker CB lingo:

1. To blend into the environment – Mockingbirds develop local dialects just like human societies. Imitating common sounds from their habitat helps them blend in.
2. To mark territory – Incorporating local sounds makes their songs distinctive. Mockingbirds use song variation to mark territory.
3. Intelligence and mimicking ability – Mockingbirds have the natural ability to mimic any complex sound from their habitat. The unique rhythm of CB calls appeals to them.
4. For social learning – Young mockingbirds likely first pick up CB phrases from older birds and then add it to their own repertoire.

The mockingbird’s knack for mimicry lets them creatively integrate human technology into their avian vocalizations. For truckers passing by, it’s an amusing example of nature imitating human culture.

Other Cases of Mockingbird Mimicry

Mockingbirds imitating CB lingo are just one example of how these clever songbirds borrow sounds from their environment. Here are some other well-documented cases of mockingbird mimicry:

• Cell phone ringtones – Mockingbirds near college campuses or urban areas often incorporate popular cell phone ringtones into their songs.
• Car alarms – The alternating high-low tone of car alarms are common mockingbird sounds in cities and suburban neighborhoods.
• Other birds – Mockingbirds integrate calls of local birds like blue jays, woodpeckers, and chickadees into their vocalizations.
• Barking dogs – Mockingbird territories often overlap with neighborhoods, so barking dogs provide lots of auditory material.
• Water drops – In more natural settings, mockingbirds will mimic dripping or rushing water sounds.
• Frogs and insects – Mockingbirds mimic common wetland sounds like frog croaks, cricket chirps, or cicada calls.

This ability to pick up any complex sound helps mockingbirds decorate their songs in unique ways. It also provides ornithologists and bird lovers with plenty of surprises when a new mimicry is first documented. The mockingbird’s vocal versatility never gets old.

How to Observe Trucker Mockingbirds

If you want to witness the unique “breaker breaker” trucker mockingbird for yourself, here are some tips:

1. Head to a major truck stop or rest area on a highway with lots of truck traffic.
2. Listen closely to mockingbirds during the spring mating season when males sing the most.
3. Scan through mockingbird songs to pick out the distinct CV chatter compared to other bird calls.
4. Be patient! It may take a trained ear to detect a close “10-4” or “breaker” in the mix.
5. Try early mornings or evenings when truckers are most actively using CB radios on the road.

Your best chance is to visit a known hotspot and spend time tuning into the local mockingbird dialect. With close listening, you’ll pick up on how these intelligent birds absorb the trucker lingo around them and integrate it into their own unique songs.

Conclusion

The northern mockingbird has a renowned ability to mimic sounds, and those living alongside busy highways often pick up and repeat trucker CB phrases in their own bird calls. Keep an ear out for a mocking “10-4” or “breaker breaker” call next time you’re at a truck stop! This amazing adaptation shows just how clever some birds are at learning new vocalizations and makes mockingbirds one of nature’s best impersonators.