The Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) is a familiar sight across eastern North America, known for its distinctive tail-wagging habit and cheerful “phoebe” song. This small flycatcher thrives in a variety of habitats, making it a favorite among birdwatchers and backyard enthusiasts. Whether you’re observing them during breeding season or on migration, understanding the Eastern Phoebe’s habitat preferences, food sources, nesting behaviors, and conservation status provides valuable insights into this adaptable species. With populations stable and growing, these birds highlight successful wildlife adaptation to human-altered landscapes. In this guide, we’ll explore key aspects of Eastern Phoebe life, drawing from expert ornithological data to help you appreciate and support these feathered visitors.
Habitat
Eastern Phoebes select breeding sites in wooded areas, especially those near water like rivers, lakes, or wetlands, where they find ideal nesting spots. They favor human-made structures such as building eaves, deck overhangs, bridges, and culverts for protection from weather and predators. Historically, before widespread construction, they nested on natural rock ledges, and they still do in remote areas. Proximity to woody understory vegetation helps conceal nests and offers perches for foraging adults. On migration, they shift to general wooded habitats with less water dependence, while wintering birds prefer deciduous woodlands along edges and clearings rather than dense forests. This flexibility in habitat choice has contributed to their population stability.
Eastern Phoebe habitat icon showing open woodlands
Food
The Eastern Phoebe’s diet revolves around aerial insects, which they expertly capture mid-flight. Primary prey includes wasps, beetles, dragonflies, butterflies, moths, flies, midges, and cicadas, showcasing their prowess as flycatchers. They supplement with ground-dwellers like spiders, ticks, and millipedes, occasionally nibbling small fruits or seeds during lean times. This insect-focused foraging supports local pest control, benefiting gardens and farms. Observations from bird banding studies confirm their role as efficient insectivores, with flying prey comprising over 90% of intake.
Eastern Phoebe food icon representing insects
Nesting
Nest Placement
Eastern Phoebes construct nests in sheltered niches under overhangs, ensuring protection from rain, wind, and most predators. They prefer dry spots close to the roofline, typically under 15 feet above ground—though rare underground nests occur in wells or cisterns. Site selection emphasizes safety and accessibility, often on ledges or ledges with irregularities for adhesion.
Eastern Phoebe nesting icon depicting building structures
Nest Description
Only females build nests, with males providing companionship and territory defense. Using mud, moss, leaves, grass stems, and animal hair, she shapes a sturdy cup about 5 inches across and 2 inches deep, taking 5-14 days. Nests adhere to walls or use existing shelves, sometimes requiring hovering to apply the initial mud layer. Remarkably, Eastern Phoebes often reuse nests year after year, and Barn Swallows may adopt them, promoting shared avian spaces.
For more on bird nesting behavior, check related resources.
Nesting Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Clutch Size | 2-6 eggs |
| Number of Broods | 1-2 broods |
| Egg Length | 0.7-0.8 in (1.8-2.1 cm) |
| Egg Width | 0.6-0.7 in (1.4-1.7 cm) |
| Incubation Period | 15-16 days |
| Nestling Period | 16-20 days |
| Egg Description | White, sometimes speckled with reddish brown |
| Condition at Hatching | Helpless, eyes closed, sparse gray down |
Behavior
Eastern Phoebes perch low and alertly, tail twitching as they scan for insects, launching sudden pursuits with rapid wingbeats before returning to the same spot. They rarely hover but occasionally glean from foliage. Solitary by nature, even pairs forage independently, with males singing raspy songs to claim territory against rivals—tolerating other species. Both parents, especially females, vigorously defend nests from snakes, jays, crows, chipmunks, mice, and House Wrens, demonstrating fierce parental investment.
Eastern Phoebe behavior icon illustrating flycatching
Conservation
Rated as a species of low concern, Eastern Phoebe populations have slightly increased from 1966 to 2019 per North American Breeding Bird Survey data. Partners in Flight estimates 35 million breeding individuals globally, scoring them an 8/20 on the Continental Concern Score. Their rise ties to human expansion providing nest sites, though understory clearing for foraging perches poses risks. Homeowners sometimes remove nests over mess concerns, similar to robins or swallows—education can foster coexistence.
Eastern Phoebe conservation status icon showing low concern
In summary, the Eastern Phoebe exemplifies resilience through versatile habitat use, specialized insectivory, and reusable nesting strategies. By preserving woodland edges and tolerating nearby nests, we support this beneficial bird. Consult local ornithologists or apps like eBird for sightings, and consider planting native shrubs to enhance their habitat. Discover more bird insights on our site to deepen your wildlife appreciation.
References
- Lutmerding, J. A. and A. S. Love. (2020). Longevity records of North American birds. Version 2020. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Bird Banding Laboratory.
- Partners in Flight. (2020). Avian Conservation Assessment Database, version 2020.
- Sauer, J. R., et al. (2019). The North American Breeding Bird Survey, Results and Analysis 1966–2019. Version 2.07.2019. USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.
- Sibley, D. A. (2014). The Sibley Guide to Birds, second edition. Alfred A. Knopf.
- Weeks Jr., Harmon P. (2011). Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), version 2.0. In The Birds of North America. Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology All About Birds
