Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

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Eastern Phoebe nest

Eastern Phoebe eggs

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

Perhaps the most familiar flycatcher in eastern North America, the Eastern Phoebe nests near people on buildings and bridges. It can be recognized by its emphatic "phee-bee" call and its habit of constantly wagging it tail.

Description

• Small songbird.
• Dark grayish brown back and head.
• Lighter underparts.
• No eyering or conspicuous wingbars.
• Wags tail.

• Size: 14-17 cm (6-7 in)
• Wingspan: 26-28 cm (10-11 in)
• Weight: 16-21 g (0.56-0.74 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes alike.

Sound

Song is two rough, whistled notes, "fee-bee" with the second note rasping or with a stuttered, more whistly second note "fee-b-be-bee." Call note a clear chip.

Conservation Status

Populations stable or slightly increasing.

Other Names

Moucherolle phébi (French)
Mosquero fibi (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• In 1804, the Eastern Phoebe became the first banded bird in North America. John James Audubon attached silvered thread to an Eastern Phoebe's leg to track its return in successive years.

• The Eastern Phoebe is a loner, rarely coming in contact with other phoebes. Even members of a mated pair do not spend much time together. They may roost together a bit early in pair formation, but even during egg laying the female frequently chases the male away from her.

• The use of buildings and bridges for nest sites has allowed the Eastern Phoebe to tolerate the landscape changes made by humans and even expand its range. However, it still uses natural nest sites when they are available.

Sources used to construct this page:

Weeks, H. P., Jr. 1994. Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe). In The Birds of North America, No. 94 (A. Poole, and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.