.JPG "Eastern Phoebe female building a nest") |
| A female Eastern Phoebe building her nest under the eaves of my house. Photo by Brad Sylvester, copyright 2015, all rights reserved. |
The Eastern Phoebe typically builds its nests under the eaves of artificial structures. The nest is made from mud, moss, twigs, pine needles, and similar things that it can find and which can be used to make the nest sturdy and comfortable. Nesting sites are usually near wooded areas and sources of water.
The Eastern Phoebe is likely one of the birds whose population numbers have likely been aided by the encroachment of European style buildings throughout North America since they provide millions of suitable nesting sites for the species. Although I'm not sure data exists to support this speculation. Before widespread artificial structures were present, the Eastern Phoebe built nests on rocky ledges. Some can still be found nesting in such places, but they are much more likely to choose a man-made building with eaves.
This video shows a female Eastern Phoebe adding what appears to be a daub of mud to the beginnings of a nest under the eaves of my house. A pair of Eastern Phoebes have nested there for several years. Their call is a familiar sound around my backyard. You can listen to their calls at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website.
The Eastern Phoebe belongs to the set of birds known as flycatchers. As you might expect, they get their name from their eating habits. The Eastern Phoebe will sit on a tree branch and wait for insects to fly by. When it spots one, it will leap up with a flutter of wings and grab the bug out of the air. Often with its legs and wings protruding out from the edges of the Phoebe's clamped beak. While Phoebes generally eat insects, especially flying insects, they are opportunists, as are most small birds, and will also eat seeds and small fruits.
As they sit and wait for a snack, they will often bob their tail feathers up and down rhythmically. This may be part of a territorial display since they seem to choose branches that reach out into highly visible areas for this display, but their motivation is only my speculation.
The Eastern Phoebe gets its name from the sound it makes. The first part of the song is a clear, musical "feee" sound and the second half is a bit more of a buzzing, trilling "eeee" or "beee" sound. The male will generally respond aggressively if you can imitate its call and often responds to "pishing."
Quick facts about the Eastern Phoebe:
Q: When is the Eastern Phoebe here in New Hampshire?
A: The Eastern Phoebe arrives in March and stays until the weather turns colder between September and early November.
Q: Do both male and female build the nest?
A: No, only the female Eastern Phoebe actively builds the nest.
Q: What color are the Eastern Phoebe's eggs?
A: The Eastern Phoebe lays between two and six small white eggs which may have some little light brown spots. They may raise one or two broods each summer. If the nest remains through the winter, the birds will often return and use it again the following spring.
Q: Where does the Eastern Phoebe go during the Winter?
A: The Eastern Phoebe, according to the IUCN Red List website, winters in the extreme southern areas of the United States around the Gulf of Mexico and down through Mexico to Central America.
Q: Is the Eastern Phoebe and endangered Species?
A: No, The Eastern Phoebe is numerous and widespread throughout Eastern North America. The IUCN lists it as a species of least concern. It is, however, protected by The Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Taxonomy of the Eastern Phoebe:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae
Genus: Sayornis
Species: Sayornis phoebe
The Eastern Phoebe belongs to the set of birds known as flycatchers. As you might expect, they get their name from their eating habits. The Eastern Phoebe will sit on a tree branch and wait for insects to fly by. When it spots one, it will leap up with a flutter of wings and grab the bug out of the air. Often with its legs and wings protruding out from the edges of the Phoebe's clamped beak. While Phoebes generally eat insects, especially flying insects, they are opportunists, as are most small birds, and will also eat seeds and small fruits.
As they sit and wait for a snack, they will often bob their tail feathers up and down rhythmically. This may be part of a territorial display since they seem to choose branches that reach out into highly visible areas for this display, but their motivation is only my speculation.
The Eastern Phoebe gets its name from the sound it makes. The first part of the song is a clear, musical "feee" sound and the second half is a bit more of a buzzing, trilling "eeee" or "beee" sound. The male will generally respond aggressively if you can imitate its call and often responds to "pishing."
Quick facts about the Eastern Phoebe:
Q: When is the Eastern Phoebe here in New Hampshire?
A: The Eastern Phoebe arrives in March and stays until the weather turns colder between September and early November.
Q: Do both male and female build the nest?
A: No, only the female Eastern Phoebe actively builds the nest.
Q: What color are the Eastern Phoebe's eggs?
A: The Eastern Phoebe lays between two and six small white eggs which may have some little light brown spots. They may raise one or two broods each summer. If the nest remains through the winter, the birds will often return and use it again the following spring.
Q: Where does the Eastern Phoebe go during the Winter?
A: The Eastern Phoebe, according to the IUCN Red List website, winters in the extreme southern areas of the United States around the Gulf of Mexico and down through Mexico to Central America.
Q: Is the Eastern Phoebe and endangered Species?
A: No, The Eastern Phoebe is numerous and widespread throughout Eastern North America. The IUCN lists it as a species of least concern. It is, however, protected by The Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
.JPG) |
| Eastern Phoebe building a nest Photo by Brad Sylvester, copyright 2015. All rights reserved |
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae
Genus: Sayornis
Species: Sayornis phoebe
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