Life List 112
Visually documented
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
- First photographed
- July 24, 2026
- First location
- Colorado, United States
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
An evolving study
Eastern Phoebe portfolio
This collection grows as I return to photograph new behavior, habitat, seasons, and stages of life.
Natural history
Species at a glance
Sayornis phoebe
Overview
The Eastern Phoebe is a familiar flycatcher that readily nests on sheltered ledges of bridges, buildings, and rock faces. It repeatedly dips its tail while perched and often returns to the same nesting site in successive years.
Identification
Gray-brown above with a darker head, whitish throat and belly, and little or no visible wingbar. The plain face, thin black bill, rounded head, and constant tail-wagging help identify it.
Range
Breeds across eastern and central North America and locally into the interior West. It winters in the southeastern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America.
Habitat
Woodland edges, stream corridors, farms, parks, cliffs, and developed areas with open airspace and protected nesting ledges.
Diet
Flying insects and other arthropods, supplemented by small berries and fruit in cool weather.
Photography by Brittany Templin
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