Black Phoebe
Sayornis nigricans
The Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) is a common tyrant flycatcher found in 16 countries, weighing about 19 g. The black phoebe is a passerine bird in the tyrant-flycatcher family.
About the Black Phoebe
The black phoebe is a passerine bird in the tyrant-flycatcher family. It breeds from southwest Oregon and California south through Central and South America. It occurs year-round throughout most of its range and migrates less than the other birds in its genus though its northern populations are partially migratory. Six subspecies are commonly recognized although two are occasionally combined as a separate species, the white-winged phoebe.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The black phoebe is a medium-sized flycatcher, being 16 cm (6.3 in) in length and weighing 15 to 22 g (0.5 to 0.8 oz). It has predominantly black plumage, with white on its belly and undertail coverts. The white forms an inverted "V" in the lower breast. The sexes are identical and plumage does not vary seasonally. Juveniles have browner plumage, cinnamon-brown feather tips on their body, and brown wing-bars. The bird has brown irises and black legs, feet, and beak.
What the Black Phoebe sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Black Phoebe can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Black Phoebe?
- The black phoebe is a medium-sized flycatcher, being 16 cm (6.3 in) in length and weighing 15 to 22 g (0.5 to 0.8 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Black Phoebe?
- The Black Phoebe is a small sized bird weighing about 19 g.
- Where can you see a Black Phoebe?
- The Black Phoebe occurs in 16 countries, including the United States, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica and Ecuador.
- What does a Black Phoebe sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Black Phoebe on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Black Phoebe?
- The Black Phoebe is most easily confused with the Say's Phoebe and the Eastern Phoebe.
- Is the Black Phoebe endangered?
- The Black Phoebe is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Black Phoebe for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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