Eastern Phoebe    Sayornis phoebe

Migratory Status: Short-distance migrant

PIF Population Estimate: 16 000 000

Percent of western hemisphere population breeding in boreal forest: 25-49%

BAM Effective Detection Radius (m) : 105.85

PIF Maximum Detection Distance (m) : 125

Canadian BBS Population trend: -0.6 n.s. (-2.0 to 0.7)

Life History

The Eastern Phoebe typically nests in or on built structures in rural and riparian areas. Bridges, barns, outbuildings and culverts are preferred, but usually phoebes will build their nests in any open structure that has an overhang. Eastern Phoebes typically nest near water, although this tendency may be a product of the location of suitable structures for nest sites, and not necessarily a habitat requirement. Historically, phoebes built their nests on rock outcrops and other natural niches. In some places they still do, but now human-made structures seem preferred. Nest sites are limited across the landscape, so phoebes usually return to the same territory annually; sometimes re-using their old nest, sometimes building anew.

Eastern Phoebes are a medium-sized flycatcher. Males tend to be slightly larger and darker than females, but sexes are not reliably distinguished by sight. Adults are grayish-brown above with a darker head, tail and wings. Underparts are off-white with a pale muddy-yellow wash on the flanks; bill and eyes are black. The most distinguishing characteristic of an Eastern Phoebe is its lack of markings; it has no eyering or wingbars. Eastern Phoebes exhibit the distinctive trait of “tail wagging”: the tail is regularly pumped up and down while perched. The reason for this behavior is unknown.

The breeding range of Eastern Phoebes extends throughout the eastern United States, up through the maritime provinces, southern Ontario and Quebec, and northwest through the prairie provinces into the Northwest Territories and the southern Yukon. This species may be absent through much of its range due to lack of suitable nesting sites. Eastern Phoebes are hardy flycatchers, mainly wintering in the southeastern United States, although some may go as far south as Mexico. As a result of their short migration, Eastern Phoebes are among the earliest migrants to arrive north in spring.

As its name implies, the song of the Eastern Phoebe is a sharp, short, “fee-bee” or “fee-b-be-bree”. Both adults sing, but most often the male. Both sexes give a clear, “chip” call, used mainly during conflicts when they will also “bill snap”, producing a loud snap by quickly closing their bills. Eastern Phoebes are solitary; adults barely tolerate one another during the breeding season. Females will regularly attack the male if he approaches while she is on the nest. During migration and on their wintering grounds they are also loners, rarely mixing with other species or other phoebes.

Reference(s)

Weeks Jr., H. P. 1994. Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), The Birds of North America Online, . A. Poole, Ed. Ithaca: Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology; Retrieved from The Birds of North America Online database: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/094