Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) lives in riparian and urban areas across Southwest Oregon and California south through Central and South America. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Hear the Black Phoebe
A real field recording of the Black Phoebe, made in the wild.
It sings a two-phrase call that sounds like a playground chant, repeating "tee-hee, tee-ho" over and over. Its song consists of two alternating phrases (tee-hee, tee-ho or sisee, sitsew). Both sexes can belt out the tune, though males do it more often.
It stays almost year-round in most of its range, moving far less than its close cousins. It lives year-round in most of its range and is more sedentary (non-migratory) than either of the other phoebes in its genus (Eastern or Say's), although northern populations may be partially migratory.
It belongs to the world's biggest bird family, which boasts over 400 species, yet it keeps a simple black-and-white look. The flycatchers are the largest family of birds on earth, with over 400 known species. The black phoebe has predominantly black plumage, with a white belly and undertail coverts.
It builds nests glued with mud, hanging under cliffs or bridges like tiny stone-capped houses. The black phoebe makes an open cup nest which is placed under a cliff or a bridge and cemented in its place with mud.
It measures just 16 cm long yet weighs only 15 to 22 g. 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 darts from a perch, catching insects mid-air.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
RangeSouthwest Oregon and California south through Central and South America
HabitatRiparian and urban areas
DietInsects and spiders
About the Black Phoebe
In the sun-drenched riparian landscapes of the American West, the Black Phoebe reigns as a master of agile flight, its sleek, soot-colored form darting with precision through the air as it pursues a myriad of insects with reckless abandon. With a flick of its tail and a swift beat of its wings, this diminutive songbird navigates the tangled web of branches and leaves with effortless ease, its bright, inquisitive eyes ever-vigilant for the next unsuspecting morsel. As it alights upon a rocky outcropping or weathered snag, the Black Phoebe's melancholy song fills the air, a haunting melody that belies its bold and adventurous spirit.
Advertisement
Hear the Black Phoebe, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
