Quick answer
The Black Phoebe is considered a flycatcher. It belongs to the genus Sayornis which is part of the larger Tyrannidae bird family, also known as the tyrant flycatchers. The Black Phoebe gets its name from its dark coloration and its habit of catching flying insects by darting out from a perch.
What is a Black Phoebe?
The Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) is a small passerine bird that is native to western parts of North America. Some key facts about the Black Phoebe:
- It has an entirely black head, back, and tail, with a white belly.
- It is about 6 inches long and weighs around 0.5 ounces.
- Found in a variety of open and partly-wooded habitats near water.
- Insectivorous – feeds mainly on flying insects which it catches mid-air.
- Nests on ledges or crannies on rock faces, buildings, bridges.
- Winters in southwestern U.S., Mexico, Central America.
- Has a sharp, squeaky call – “pit-eur” or “tit-eurr”.
The Black Phoebe is a very common bird found in parks, canyons, and along rivers and lakes from British Columbia through the western half of the United States down to Guatemala. They are tame around humans and will nest on man-made structures.
Are Black Phoebes considered flycatchers?
Yes, the Black Phoebe is considered a flycatcher based on its taxonomy and behavior:
- It is classified in the genus Sayornis which belongs to the wider Tyrannidae family – commonly known as tyrant flycatchers.
- It catches flying insects on the wing by darting out from a perch and returning to the same perch.
- It has the right morphology for aerial hawking including a large wide beak surrounded by rictal bristles.
- It will hawk for prolonged periods while stationed on a single perch.
Flycatchers are passerines that primarily feed on flying insects which they catch mid-air. The key features of flycatchers like the Black Phoebe include:
- Short legs and small feet suited for perching instead of walking/hopping.
- Flat wide beaks that are perfect for catching insects.
- Rictal bristles around the base of the beak that help detect and trap prey.
- Quick reflexes and maneuverability in flight.
- A habit of returning to the same perch between prey capture flights.
Based on all of these behavioral and morphological adaptations, ornithologists universally consider the Black Phoebe to be a typical flycatching bird.
Taxonomy of Black Phoebe
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Tyrannidae
- Genus: Sayornis
- Species: Sayornis nigricans
All birds in the genus Sayornis are classified as flycatchers. The Tyrannidae family contains over 400 species of flycatchers found throughout the Americas.
Physical adaptations of Black Phoebes for catching insects
The Black Phoebe possesses several physical features that make it well-adapted for catching flying insects:
Beak shape
- Wide and flat beak which gives a larger surface area for snapping up insects.
- Short but pointed tip allows it to skillfully grab and swallow insects in mid-air.
- Curved upper ridge fits against the flat lower mandible like forceps for catching prey.
Rictal bristles
- Stiff feathers around the base of the beak help detect insects flying nearby.
- May also protect the eyes from prey while catching food mid-air.
Maneuverability
- Short, rounded wings provide good maneuverability and speed.
- Fanned tail feathers also aid rapid turns and changes in direction during aerial pursuit.
Swift reflexes
- Excellent vision and ability to detect motion allows it to spot and zero in on flying insects.
- Very quick response time when taking off from perch to catch prey with precision.
Return to perch
- Almost always returns to the same perch after catching an insect in mid-air.
- Allows it to conserve energy instead of constant hovering or flapping.
- Gives a fixed focal point to scan for prey from an exposed vantage point.
These adaptations allow the Black Phoebe to excel at catching insects on the wing and confirm its status as a flycatcher.
Hunting behavior of the Black Phoebe
The Black Phoebe exhibits classic flycatcher behavior when it hunts:
- Perches upright on a bare branch, rock, wire, or pole.
- Scans the surroundings by sight while remaining stationary.
- Darts out to snap up any flying insect that comes near.
- Catches the insect mid-air with its beak.
- Returns swiftly to the original perch.
- Often repeats this maneuver multiple times from the same perch.
Some key aspects of its hunting strategy:
- Stealth – perches quietly and scans undetected for unsuspecting prey.
- Surprise – rapid takeoff and acceleration gives prey little chance to escape.
- Skill – expertly plucks insects right out of the air with razor sharp reflexes.
- Efficiency – favors perches that provide a good view of insect flight paths.
Black Phoebes will also sometimes hover briefly in front of foliage to grab insects, but aerial hawking is their primary feeding technique. They often return to favorite perches that offer the best hunting opportunities.
Variation in hunting perches
Although Black Phoebes prefer open perches for insect hunting, they can also occasionally be seen:
- On branches of trees/shrubs
- Along the top edge of bushes or walls
- On overhead utility lines or fences
- On roof edges and eaves
- On outdoor lamp posts or signs
These semi-exposed perches allow them to remain concealed while scanning for passing insects to dart after.
Diet of the Black Phoebe
The Black Phoebe is an insectivore, with flying insects making up the majority of its diet:
- Bees
- Wasps
- Flies
- Moths
- Butterflies
- Mosquitoes
- Midges
- Ants
- Beetles
- Grasshoppers
- Crickets
- Termites
- Spiders
It will eat any small insect it can capture in flight. It also occasionally eats emerging aquatic insects near streams or water.
Studies of its diet composition show:
- Flies and wasps comprise over 50% of food items.
- Bees, butterflies, and ants each make up 5-10% of the diet.
- Beetles, moths, and mosquitoes each account for 1-5%.
- The remaining 10-15% is a mix of other insects.
The wide range of aerial insects consumed confirms the Black Phoebe’s opportunistic feeding strategy adapted for catch-as-catch-can foraging on the wing.
Non-insect food
Although insects make up the majority of their food, Black Phoebes also occasionally eat:
- Spiders
- Sowbugs
- Ticks
- Mites
- Small snails
- Berries
- Flower nectar
These non-insect food provide a small nutritional supplement to their diet. But aerial insects remain the primary prey and source of calories for the species.
Similar species that catch insects on the wing
Several other bird species share the Black Phoebe’s flycatching behavior and adaptations:
Western Kingbird
- Larger than the Black Phoebe at 8-9 inches long
- Gray-brown upperparts and yellow underparts
- Catches insects on wing and perches upright on wires or branches
- Found in open habitats throughout western North America
Eastern Phoebe
- Larger than Black Phoebe at 7 inches long
- Dull brownish-gray upperparts and pale yellowish underparts
- Constantly pumps tail up and down while perched
- Regularly sallies out for flying insects from perches
Eastern Kingbird
- Gray upperparts, white underparts, black tail with white tips
- Aggressive – will chase much larger birds from its territory
- Hawking style very similar to Western Kingbird
- Found in open and semi-open habitats of central and eastern North America
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
- Slim bodied with extremely long, forked tail
- Pinkish sides, white underparts, gray upperparts
- Elegant aerialist – feared by many small birds
- Breeds in southern plains states and winters in Central/South America
All of these tyrant flycatchers occupy the same niche as the Black Phoebe, specializing in picking insects out of the air with acrobatic flying skills.
Differences between Black Phoebes and other flycatchers
While the Black Phoebe shares the flycatching behavior of other tyrant birds, there are some key differences:
- Smaller than most other flycatchers like kingbirds, Great Crested, and Scissor-tailed
- Dark coloration – many tyrant flycatchers have pale or bright plumages
- Does not aggressively defend an aerial territory like kingbirds
- Does not perform aerial displays or vocalizations while catching prey
- More tied to watercourses than open country species like Eastern Kingbird
- Does not migrate as far south as tropical tyrant flycatchers
The Black Phoebe is one of the more modestly sized and plainly colored flycatchers, but shares the same adeptness at catching insects on the wing as its larger, more ornamented relatives.
Habitat and range of the Black Phoebe
The Black Phoebe can be found in a variety of open and semi-open habitats, usually in proximity to water:
- Rivers, streams, and creeks
- Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs
- Coastlines and shorelines
- Canyons and gorges
- Cliffs and rock formations
- Marshes and wetlands
They are highly adaptable and also utilize man-made habitats:
- Bridges, piers, docks, and jetties
- Water treatment plants
- Dams and spillways
- Urban parks and residential areas
Breeding and wintering range
The Black Phoebe breeds across much of western North America:
- British Columbia south through the western US to Baja California and central Mexico
- As far east as Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and western Texas
- Prefers lower elevations up to 6,500 feet
In winter, it migrates to the southwestern US and Mexico. Its winter range:
- California and the southern half of Arizona and New Mexico
- South to central Mexico
- Rare along the Gulf coast and Florida
Some Black Phoebes remain further north in milder climates along the Pacific coast.
Population and conservation status
The Black Phoebe has a very large range and stable population trend. According to the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.
- Global population estimated at 4.7 million
- Population stable with no evidence of significant decline
- Very adaptable to human-altered environments
- Does well in urban areas as long as watercourses are present
The Black Phoebe’s ability to thrive around human development makes it one of the less vulnerable tyrannid flycatchers. Its insect-catching skills serve it well across a diversity of aquatic and riparian habitats.
Conclusion
In summary, the Black Phoebe exhibits all the features and behaviors that classify it as a typical flycatching bird:
- It belongs to the Tyrannidae family of tyrant flycatchers
- Morphology adapted for catching insects on the wing
- Signature flycatching hunting technique of aerial hawking
- Primary diet of flying insects captured mid-air
- Shares niche with similar flycatching species
So the answer is yes – the Black Phoebe is undoubtedly a member of the flycatcher group of birds specialized for adeptly catching insect prey during flight using their athleticism and insect-snaring beaks. It occupies an important niche in riparian ecosystems by helping regulate insect populations. The Black Phoebe’s airborne insectivory confirms its classification and reputation as a flycatcher.
