Black Phoebe

Male
Female

Year-round, more abundant in summer than winter

Size
7"
Listen
Plumage / Description

Male and female plumage similar. Black head, throat chest, back, wings, tail, white belly and under-tail coverts. Thin, sharp beak used to catch insects. Juvenile plumage similar to adult except juveniles have a rusty/chestnut color on black wings and back.

Habitat

Male and female plumage similar. Black head, throat chest, back, wings, tail, white belly and under-tail coverts. Thin, sharp beak used to catch insects. Juvenile plumage similar to adult except juveniles have a rusty/chestnut color on black wings and back.

Relative Abundance

Common

Behavior

Insect eater. Fairly follow, easy to locate due to frequent vocalization. Uses a hawking behavior of flying out from an open, exposed perch to catch insects in flight. Frequently pumps its tail when perched.

Diet

Insects

Similar Species

Plumage wise nothing, size and behavior wise Say's Phoebe and other flycatcher species.

Best Sites

Granite Creek, Watson Woods, Watson Lake, Willow Lake.