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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. LXIX
Field-journal plate: Eastern Phoebe
The Eastern Phoebe plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate LXIX

Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

Tyrannidae · Taxon 17008

Length14–17 cm (5.5–6.7 in)
Wingspan26–28 cm (10.2–11.0 in)
Weight16–21 g (0.6–0.7 oz)

Field marks

  1. Large, often slightly peaked head
  2. Sooty gray-brown head contrasting with a paler throat
  3. Plain gray-brown back and wings with no strong adult wingbars
  4. Whitish to pale yellow-washed underparts
  5. Short, thin, dark insect-catching bill
  6. Medium-long, dark, nearly square-tipped tail

HabitatOpen woodland, woodland edges, brushy clearings, stream margins, farms, and other semi-open settings with low perches; nests on sheltered rock ledges or beneath overhangs on structures.

BehaviorUsually solitary; sits upright on low, exposed perches, repeatedly pumps its tail, and makes short sallies to catch flying insects, often returning to a nearby perch. Builds a mud-and-moss cup nest beneath a protective overhang.

Palette

sooty gray-brownolive-grayoff-whitepale yellowcharcoal black