Eastern Phoebe, Madison, WI, 2011. John Benson. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Eastern Phoebe, Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area, Quebec, Canada, 2009. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

eastern phoebe

Sayornis phoebe    

Identification: 
This inconspicuous medium-sized bird has a mostly gray back and medium long gray tail, whitish breast, darker gray to black head, and somewhat flat, short bill. 

Behavior:
The Eastern Phoebe favors sites near wooded areas, but often uses buildings and other human creations for nesting sites.  It feeds mainly on insects, flying out to catch them on the wing, then returning to its perch.  It looks like several other flycatchers, but is the only one to nervously wag its tail while perching.  It sings an eponymous “fee-bee” song.     

What brings it to the SBG?
Food, cover, nesting sites.  Phoebes have been observed perching on the fence by the horse pasture and flitting back and forth to the low shrubs nearby.  The more insects we can attract to the SBG, the more food there will be for the Eastern Phoebe.

When can I see it?
Spring, summer, early fall.  The Eastern Phoebe migrates to the Southern US and Mexico in the winter.