Bird Guide

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

Least ConcernInvertebratesForestCavity nestSmall · 21 g

About the Say's Phoebe

Say's phoebe is a passerine bird in the tyrant flycatcher family, Tyrannidae. A common bird across western North America, it prefers dry, desolate areas. It was named for Thomas Say, an American naturalist.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

Say's phoebe is a barrel-chested bird with a squared-off head. It is gray-brown above with a black tail and buffy cinnamon below, becoming more orange around the vent. The tail is long and the primaries end just past the rump on resting birds. The wings seem pale in flight and resemble a female mountain bluebird. The juvenile is similar to adult, but has buffy orange to whitish wingbars and a yellow gape. The adult bird is 7.5 in (19 cm) long, has a wingspan of 13 in (33 cm) and weighs 0.75 oz (21 g).

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Say's Phoebe sounds like

Recording: Anne · CC0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Diana Doyle · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where the Say's Phoebe lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Belize, St. Pierre & Miquelon.

When to see the Say's Phoebe

Peak activity in May · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Side by side: Eastern Phoebe vs Say's Phoebe · Black Phoebe vs Say's Phoebe · Great Kiskadee vs Say's Phoebe

Learn the Say's Phoebe in BeakBrain

Photo and call practice, free in any browser.

Play BeakBrain

Every photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.