Eastern Phoebe

Welcome to this week’s Wildlife of the Week!

Our species this week is the Eastern Phoebe!

Sayornis phoebe

The Eastern Phoebe is this week’s Wildlife of the Week! These small, plump songbirds, measuring 5.5 to 7 inches in length, are common on the refuge. They are attractive birds with a brownish-gray body and an off-white belly. Their head is typically the darkest part of their body. While their head typically appears flat on top, they may raise their feathers, which form a peak. In their fall plumage, they may have faint yellow coloring on their belly. Their bills are short and thin, used for collecting insects.

Phoebes perch low in trees and shrubs or on fencelines. From these perches they make repeated short flights to capture flying insects, their main prey, often returning to the same perch. They make sharp “peep” calls in addition to their familiar “phoebe” vocalizations. When perched, Eastern Phoebes wag their tails down and up frequently, a key characteristic for identifying them in the field.

Eastern Phoebes can be found throughout eastern North America. Their preferred habitat is open woods such as yards and woodland edges. When nesting they prefer the eaves of buildings, under bridges and other covered areas. They are solitary birds and are rarely found in groups. Even during nesting season females can be seen chasing off their mates from their nest for some alone time. The phoebe in the photo was feeding around the Observation Building. (Photo by Tom Ress)