Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
The Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) is a common tyrant flycatcher found in 7 countries, weighing about 20 g. The eastern phoebe is a small passerine bird.
About the Eastern Phoebe
The eastern phoebe is a small passerine bird. The genus name Sayornis is constructed from the specific part of Charles Lucien Bonaparte's name for Say's phoebe, Muscicapa saya, and Ancient Greek ornis, "bird". Phoebe is an alternative name for the Roman moon-goddess Diana, but it may also have been chosen to imitate the bird's call.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Measurements: Length: 5.5–6.7 in (14–17 cm) Weight: 0.6–0.7 oz (16–21 g) Wingspan: 10.2–11.0 in (26–28 cm) This species appears remarkably big-headed, especially if it puffs up the small crest. Its plumage is gray-brown above. It has a white throat, dirty gray breast and buffish underparts which become whiter during the breeding season. Two indistinct buff bars are present on each wing. Its lack of an eye ring and wingbars, and its all dark bill distinguish it from other North American tyrant flycatchers, and it pumps its tail up and down like other phoebes when perching on a branch.
What the Eastern Phoebe sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Eastern Phoebe can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Eastern Phoebe?
- Measurements: Length: 5.5–6.7 in (14–17 cm) Weight: 0.6–0.7 oz (16–21 g) Wingspan: 10.2–11.0 in (26–28 cm) This species appears remarkably big-headed, especially if it puffs up the small crest. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Eastern Phoebe?
- The Eastern Phoebe is a small sized bird weighing about 20 g.
- Where can you see an Eastern Phoebe?
- The Eastern Phoebe occurs in 7 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas and Bermuda.
- What does an Eastern Phoebe sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Eastern Phoebe on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to an Eastern Phoebe?
- The Eastern Phoebe is most easily confused with the Black Phoebe and the Say's Phoebe.
- Is the Eastern Phoebe endangered?
- The Eastern Phoebe is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Eastern 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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