EASTERN PHOEBE GALLERY
(Sayornis phoebe)

Ebird provides the following description of the Eastern Phoebe:  Medium-sized flycatcher, smaller than a robin. Watch for it constantly dipping its tail down. Plumage is nondescript brownish above and pale below, with blurry vest. Often nests under eves of buildings and other structures. Spends winters in southeastern U.S. and eastern Mexico and returns north earlier than other flycatchers. Listen for its low-pitched, harsh “FEE-bee” song in the spring, but don’t get confused by Black-capped Chickadee’s higher-pitched, sweet whistled song of a similar pattern!

Late on the morning of May 18, 2020, I was at Warbler Pond in the Warbler Woods Sanctuary in Cibolo, Texas.  One of the birds I photographed that day was not recognized by this novice bird watcher so turned to my trusty Merlin App, which told me it was a juvenile Eastern Phoebe.  When I looked it up on eBird to confirm, I suddenly realized I did know this bird.  I often sit out under my airport looking for birds in the trees in the front yard of my lakehouse.  Almost every single time I am out there, a little fellow shows up to entertain me by hopping around on the asphalt drive– a very cute little bird.  I had taken a number of pictures of it, but never looked it up.  Lo and behold it is an Eastern Phoebe!  Enjoy my photos!

According to Merlin, this is a juvenile Eastern Phoebe. Warbler Pond, May 18, 2020.
My bestie, my little bird pal, the Eastern Phoebe. My driveway, May 5, 2020.
My little buddy, the Eastern Phoebe. My driveway, May 3, 2020.
One more of my Eastern Phoebe. I told you this little guy keeps me company! My driveway, May 4, 2020 (that is right...I took photos of him 3 days in a row!)
As Fall is upon us, many of the birds I had been seeing everyday no longer show up. But little friend the Eastern Phoebe does! I see him almost every day. October 11, 2020.


Cool Facts About the Eastern Phoebe (From All About Birds)…

▪      In 1804, the Eastern Phoebe became the first banded bird in North America. John James Audubon attached silvered thread to an Eastern Phoebe’s leg to track its return in successive years.

▪      The use of buildings and bridges for nest sites has allowed the Eastern Phoebe to tolerate the landscape changes made by humans and even expand its range. However, it still uses natural nest sites when they are available.

▪      Unlike most birds, Eastern Phoebes often reuse nests in subsequent years—and sometimes Barn Swallows use them in between. In turn, Eastern Phoebes may renovate and use old American Robin or Barn Swallow nests themselves.

▪     The Eastern Phoebe is a loner, rarely coming in contact with other phoebes. Even members of a mated pair do not spend much time together. They may roost together early in pair formation, but even during egg laying the female frequently chases the male away from her.

▪      The oldest known Eastern Phoebe was at least 10 years, 4 months old. It had been banded in Iowa in 1979, and was found in 1989 in Alberta.