Dick the Mockingbird

Dick the Mockingbird was the name of one of U.S. president Thomas Jefferson's pet birds. Although presidents before him also had pets, Jefferson is thought to be "the first president to have a pet [that lived] in the White House..." Prior to his term in the Oval Office, Jefferson bought his first mockingbird from a slave for five shillings. Birds were Jefferson’s favorite animal. During his time in the White House Jefferson wrote observations on the types of birds that he spotted in the area. In a letter to a friend he wrote, "I sincerely congratulate you on the arrival of the mockingbird. Teach all the children to venerate it as a superior being which will haunt them if any harm is done to itself or its eggs."

Time spent together

Jefferson kept Dick's cage in a special area in his study, among plants on a windowsill. Jefferson often left Dick’s cage open and allowed him free range of the room. Whenever he had free time, Jefferson and Dick were always side by side. Dick would perch on Jefferson’s couch and sing him to sleep after following him one by one up the stairs. Dick liked to sit on Jefferson’s shoulder as Jefferson hummed and worked. Jefferson even put food between his lips and the mockingbird would swoop down and take it from him. Dick and Jefferson did duets together. When Jefferson took out his violin and started playing, Dick would "pour out his song along with the violin" A person who was acquainted with Jefferson wrote,"How he loved the bird! He could not live without something to love… his bird and his flowers became the objects of his tender care"