Phoebe

black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans)

phoebe, (genus Sayornis), any of three species of New World birds in the genus Sayornis of the family Tyrannidae (order Passeriformes). Phoebes are found from northern Alaska south to the mountains of northern Argentina. All phoebes have the habit of twitching their tails when perching.

eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)

Say's phoebe (Sayornis saya)

In North America the best-known species is the eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), 18 cm (7.5 inches) long, plain brownish gray above and paler below. Its call is a brisk “fee-bee” uttered over and over. It makes a mossy nest, strengthened with mud, on a ledge, often under a bridge. In the open country of western North America is Say’s phoebe (S. saya), a slightly larger bird with buff-hued underparts.

The most widely distributed is the black phoebe (S. nigricans), which is found near water from the southwestern United States to Argentina. Measuring 16 cm (6.3 inches) long, S. nigricans is slightly smaller than S. phoebe, and it is dark above with a contrasting white belly.

eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)

All three species are classified as species of least concern by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). In addition, the IUCN notes that the populations of all three species continue to increase.