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Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebeOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Flycatchers (Tyrannidae)

Breeding Location:

Forest, Marshes, freshwater



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester



Breeding Population:



Egg Color:

White, sometimes with red brown spots



Number of Eggs:

2 - 8



Incubation Days:

16



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Mud pellets covered with moss., Lined with grass, weeds, leaves, hair, and feathers.



Migration:

Most migrate



Splitbar

Overview

Eastern Phoebe: Small flycatcher with dark gray-brown upperparts and slightly darker wings and tail. Underparts are pale with hint of olive-brown or yellow on sides and breast. Bill, legs, and feet are black. Feeds on insects, small fish, berries and fruit. Weak fluttering bouyant flight.

Range and Habitat

Eastern Phoebe: Breeds north of the Mason-Dixon Line in North America; spends winters as far north as the Ohio River.

Breeding and Nesting

Eastern Phoebe: Two to eight white eggs with occasional red brown spots are laid in a nest made of mud pellets covered with moss and lined with grass, weeds, leaves, hair, and feathers. Nest is normally built on top of an old nest, or attached to a building. Incubation is about 16 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Eastern Phoebe: Feeds on insects, small fish, berries, and fruits. Forages from atop tree branches and other perches, flying out to catch prey in mid-air; also gleans food from foliage, on the ground, and at the water surface.

Readily Eats

Meal Worms

Vocalization

Eastern Phoebe: Call is a "chip" or "FEE-be".

Similar Species

Eastern Phoebe: Eastern Wood-Pewee has darker underparts, yellow lower mandible, two white wing-bars, different voice, and does not pump tail.

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Family Flycatcher (Tyrannidae)_blue
Species Sayornis phoebe
Length7 Inches
Wingspan11.5 Inches

Eastern Phoebe

Eastern Phoebe: Small flycatcher with dark gray-brown upperparts and slightly darker wings and tail. Underparts are pale with hint of olive-brown or yellow on sides and breast. Bill, legs, and feet are black. Feeds on insects, small fish, berries and fruit. Weak fluttering bouyant flight.

● Song: "chip";"FEE-be"

● Foraging & Feeding: Eastern Phoebe: Feeds on insects, small fish, berries, and fruits. Forages from atop tree branches and other perches, flying out to catch prey in mid-air; also gleans food from foliage, on the ground, and at the water surface.

● Breeding & nesting: Eastern Phoebe: Two to eight white eggs with occasional red brown spots are laid in a nest made of mud pellets covered with moss and lined with grass, weeds, leaves, hair, and feathers. Nest is normally built on top of an old nest, or attached to a building. Incubation is about 16 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Eastern Phoebe: Eastern Wood-Pewee has darker underparts, yellow lower mandible, two white wing-bars, different voice, and does not pump tail.

Flight Pattern

Weak buoyant fluttering flight with shallow wing beats.
Eastern Phoebe Worn Summer Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Eastern Phoebe: Breeds north of the Mason-Dixon Line in North America; spends winters as far north as the Ohio River.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
Population
MigrationMost migrate
Weight0.7 Ounces