Black Phoebe

Overview

The black phoebe, Sayornis nigricans, is a passerine bird in the tyrant-flycatcher family. It is predominantly black with a white belly and is found year-round in most of its range, which extends from southwest North America through Central and South America. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Medium-sized flycatcher measuring 16 cm in length and weighing 15 to 22 g, with predominantly black plumage and a white belly that forms an inverted 'V' on the lower breast.
• Brown irises and black legs, feet, and beak, while juveniles display brown feather tips and wing-bars.
• Characteristic tail-wagging motion where the tail is lowered and feathers are fanned out, accompanied by a song of alternating phrases like 'tee-hee, tee-ho'.
• Flight is direct with steady wing beats, and it is almost entirely locomoted by flight.

Habitat

Breeds from southwest Oregon and California through Central and South America, with specific presence in river valleys, coastal cliffs, and interior mainland Mexico. Always found near water, such as coastal cliffs, river and lake banks, or park fountains, and requires a supply of mud for nesting.

Diet

Mainly insectivorous, the bird waits on a perch before sallying out to catch prey in the air. No specific details on foraging frequency or prey size are provided in the reference material.

Did you know?

The black phoebe constructs an open cup nest that is cemented in place with mud, typically under a cliff or a bridge. This specialized nesting requirement likely contributes to the species' somewhat irregular range.