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Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis Phoebe

Length: 7 inches Wingspan: 11.5 inches Seasonality: Summer
ID Keys: Strong contrast between white throat and brownish-gray head, plain otherwise, off-white underparts, gray to brownish-gray upperparts

Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebeThe Eastern Phoebe is one of the earliest songbird migrants in much of the eastern United States, including in South Dakota.  While primarily insectivorous like other flycatcher species, they also may feed on fruits and berries, enabling their arrival on the summer breeding grounds before insects may be readily available. Unlike most of the Empidonax flycatchers, they are generally easy to identify, due to a well-known fee-bee song and their habit of repeatedly wagging its tail up and down.  They are often quite tame, and have greatly benefited by the presence of humans since they will often use buildings and bridges for nesting.

Habitat:

During the summer breeding season, they are most often found in semi-open country or open woodlands, primarily near water.  In migration and during the winter, they are generally found around woodland edges, woodland clearings, and brushy fields.

Diet:

Primarily feeds on insects, especially during the summer breeding season, as well as spiders and millipedes.  Small fruits and berries make up an important component of the winter diet.

Behavior:

Eastern Phoebes will often pump their tail while perched, similar to some other flycatchers.  They are generally a solitary species, with even mated pairs not associating very closely immediately after breeding.   Much of its foraging is done through flying out from a perch to catch flying insects, but they will also hover near vegetation to glean insects from foliage and branches.

Nesting:

May through July in South Dakota. The nest is placed in a protected, relatively dry location, historically on a rocky outcrop with a protected overhang, or a vertical rocky area along a riparian area.  Now many nests are built on man-made structures, with protected areas under bridges now a favored location. The nest is built of mud, built on a shelf or adhered to the side of a hard surface, and augmented with vegetated material such as leaves, grasses, or moss. The inside of the nest is lined with finer grasses or hair. The female builds the nest herself, and lays between 3 and 7 eggs. Both parents help to incubate the eggs, which hatch after about 14-16 days. The young fledge from the nest after 2 to 2 1/2 weeks.

Song:

The classic song of an Eastern Pheobe is a soft fee-bee, with second note lower.  They also have chip calls (given by both males and females) and other chattering vocalizations.

Migration:

Summers throughout the eastern half of the United States, and into much of central and southeastern Canada.  Winters in the southeastern United States and Mexico.  Eastern Phoebes are relatively early to migrate northward in the Spring, and late to migrate southward in the Fall.  Given their ability to feed on fruits and berries, they may appear in South Dakota before the weather warms up enough for many insects to be available.

Interactive eBird Map:

Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Eastern Phoebe sightings

Similar Species:

Possibly confused with multiple small flycatcher species, but perhaps easier to differentiate than some species. Behavior is one clue, given the tendency of Eastern Phoebes to wag their tail up and down while perched. Voice is another differentiating feature. Similar species and differences include the followi

Eastern Wood-pewee - Contopus virens Willow Flycatcher - Empidonax traillii Black Phoebe - Sayornis nigricans Say's Phoebe 7 - Sayornis saya
Eastern Wood-pewee Willow Flycatcher Black Phoebe Say's Phoebe

Conservation Status:

Numbers are probably higher than in pre-settlement times, as man-made structures have greatly increased potential nesting sites.  Numbers are currently stable overall, and possibly increasing. The IUCN currently considers the Eastern Phoebe to be a species of "least concern".

Further Information:

Photo Information:

September 30th, 2008 - Newton Hills State Park, South Dakota - Terry Sohl

Additional Photos:

Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Eastern Phoebe photos.

Audio Clip Credits:

 

Click on the map below for a higher-resolution view 
Eastern Phoebe - Range map
South Dakota Status: Uncommon summer breeder, except rare in the far western part of the state.

Additional Eastern Phoebe Photos
Click for a higher-resolution version of these photos
Eastern Phoebe 1 - Sayornis phoebe
Eastern Phoebe 2 - Sayornis phoebeEastern Phoebe 3 - Sayornis phoebeEastern Phoebe 4 - Sayornis phoebeEastern Phoebe 5 - Sayornis phoebeEastern Phoebe 6 - Sayornis phoebeEastern Phoebe 7 - Sayornis phoebeEastern Phoebe 8 - Sayornis phoebeEastern Phoebe 9 - Sayornis phoebeEastern Phoebe 10 - Sayornis phoebeEastern Phoebe 11 - Sayornis phoebeEastern Phoebe 12 - Sayornis phoebeEastern Phoebe 13 - Sayornis phoebe