The Eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) is a small perching bird native to North America. Phoebe is an alternative name for the Roman moon-goddess Diana, but it may also have been chosen to imitate the bird's call.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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MigratingAnimal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of individual animals, usually on a seasonal basis. It is the most common form of migrati...
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starts withThe Eastern phoebe is remarkably big-headed, especially if it puffs up the small crest. Its plumage is gray-brown above. It has a white throat, dirty gray breast, and buffish underparts which become whiter during the breeding season. Two indistinct buff bars are present on each wing. Its lack of an eye ring and wingbars, and its all dark bill distinguish it from other North American tyrant flycatchers, and it pumps its tail up and down like other phoebes when perching on a branch.
These birds breed in eastern North America, although their normal range does not include the southeastern coastal United States. They are migratory, wintering in the southernmost United States and Central America. Eastern phoebes inhabit woodlands, farmland, and suburbs, often near water. They usually avoid open areas and choose spots beneath trees, brushy areas or overhangs. During migration in winter or in breeding season they are frequently seen around the edges of woods and other areas where water sources are abundant.
Eastern phoebes are generally solitary but during the breeding season, they can sometimes spend time in pairs. They are diurnal being most active in the morning. These birds usually forage by perching conspicuously on a branch often pumping their tail up and down while looking for flying insects. When the prey is spotted phoebes chase it down and then return to the same perch. They may also pick insects or berries from the foliage. Eastern phoebes are highly territorial and males often use vocalizations to claim the territory. The call of these birds is a sharp 'chip', and the song, from which they get their name, is 'fee-bee'.
Eastern phoebes are insectivores. They feed mainly on insects and in cooler weather will also eat fruits and berries.
Eastern phoebes are monogamous and form pair bonds. They start breeding as early as the first days of April and may raise two broods per season. These birds often nest on human structures such as bridges and buildings. Their nest is an open cup with a mud base and lined with moss and grass. The female lays 2 to 6 eggs and incubates them for 15-17 days. When the chicks hatch both parents feed them about 15-16 days. At this time the young are ready to leave the nest. They will attain reproductive maturity in their first year of age.
There are no major threats facing Eastern phoebes at present.
According to the What Bird resource, the total population size of the Eastern phoebe is 16,000,000 individuals. According to the All About Birds resource the total breeding population size of this species is 32,000,000 breeding birds. Overall, currently, Eastern phoebes are classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and their numbers today are increasing.
