Secure Shopping
 Black
PhoebeBlack Phoebes are territorial and solitary nesters, often remaining year-round in an established territory. The wanderers found in atypical winter habitats (chaparral or grassland) are thought to be first-year, nonbreeding birds. The Black Phoebe is slate black except for a white belly, undertail coverts and outer tail feathers. Its tail-wagging, erect posture, and insectivorous feeding habits are helpful in field identification. The Black Phoebe's song is a thin, buzzy pi-tsee, usually repeated and its call is a sharp, down-slurred chip. The Black Phoebe catches insects over grassy fields and open water, or gleans them from plant foliage. It also eats some fruits of the buckthorn. The Black Phoebe builds a mud nest commonly under bridges, in culverts and wells, under the eaves of buildings as well as on the vertical surfaces of cliffs, rimrocks, steep creek banks and caverns. It may use the same nest site year after year. The Black Phoebe is a year-round resident from northern California south and east to western Texas. It prefers shady areas near water, streams, pond and lake banks. In winter, it prefers city parks and open chaparral. Black Phoebe Range Map |
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