There are a few bird species that make a call that sounds like “phoebe”. The most likely culprit is probably the Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe). The Eastern Phoebe is a small flycatcher found in eastern North America. The phoebe part of its name comes from its distinctive call, which does sound remarkably like it is saying “phoebe”.
The Call of the Eastern Phoebe
The Eastern Phoebe has a simple, two-syllable call that sounds like “fee-bee” or “phoe-bee”. It’s a crisp, clear whistle that carries well over distances. You can often hear phoebes calling back and forth to each other from open perches. The phoebe call is often the first clue that this bird is present nearby before you actually spot it visually.
You can listen to audio recordings of the Eastern Phoebe’s call online to get a sense of what it sounds like. When heard clearly, the fee-bee resemblance is obvious. The Eastern Phoebe repeats its signature call over and over, which is why it stands out and is so recognizable.
Other Species with Similar Sounds
While the Eastern Phoebe is probably the bird people think of most often when they describe a “phoebe” call, some other bird species make sounds that could be mistaken for saying “phoebe” too.
Say’s Phoebe
Very closely related to the Eastern Phoebe is Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya). As its name would suggest, Say’s Phoebe sounds virtually identical to the Eastern Phoebe, with the same fee-bee whistled song. Say’s Phoebe occupies a similar niche as an insectivorous flycatcher, but is found in western North America instead of the east. Its near-identical appearance and voice means it is essentially a western version of the Eastern Phoebe.
Western Wood-Pewee
The Western Wood-Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) is another species found in western parts of North America that says something very close to “phoebe” in its vocalizations. Its song is a rising and falling “pee-oo-weeee”, with a middle note that sounds a bit like “phoebe” to some ears. It is not as clean and crisp a whistle as the Eastern or Say’s Phoebe, but the similarity is certainly there.
Acadian Flycatcher
The Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) is found throughout eastern woodlands overlapping with the Eastern Phoebe’s range. Its call is a buzzy “be-bee-o” or “pee-bee-o” that could potentially be mistaken for sounding like “phoebe” by inexperienced birders.
How to Tell the Phoebe Call Apart from Similar Sounds
By learning some key differences, you can distinguish the distinctive phoebe call from the songs of other birds that may sound similar at first.
Sharp and Crisp Whistling
The classic “phoebe” sound made by the Eastern Phoebe and Say’s Phoebe is very sharp, clean, and crisp, almost like a whistled human imitation. It has a clear attack and smooth fading end note. This distinguishes it from buzzier or more jumbled sounding birds.
Territorial Repeating
Eastern Phoebes repeat their call persistently when defending territories. The regular repetition of the crisp “fee-bee” or “phoe-bee” over and over is a giveaway. Other birds may mix different phrases and notes together into more varied songs.
Habitat
Getting to know the preferred habitat of phoebes and similar sounding birds will help you distinguish by location. Eastern Phoebes like open areas near water, like rivers or lakes, whereas Acadian Flycatchers like forested wetlands.
Other Interesting Facts About the Eastern Phoebe Call
Here are a few more interesting tidbits about the Eastern Phoebe’s vocalizations:
- They sing year-round, not just during spring mating seasons like many birds.
- They often give their “phoebe” call in a series, like “phoebe-phoebe-phoebe”
- They can make a slower, more drawn-out version that sounds more like “feeeeeeebee”
- Sometimes they append an extra uppity note to the end, making it sound like “fee-bee-bee”
- Rarely, deeper or higher pitched variants are heard
- Nestlings respond to adult calls with a repetitive, buzzy version of the phoebe song
So next time you visit eastern North America and hear a crisp “phoebe” call emanating from open country, take a closer look for the Eastern Phoebe. It’s living up to its name by calling out according to the sound we associate with it. With a little practice, you’ll be able to pick up its signature voice from among the avian chorus.
Conclusion
The Eastern Phoebe is the bird species most strongly associated with a “phoebe” sounding call. However, other similar sounding birds like Say’s Phoebe and the Western Wood-Pewee can also produce calls reminiscent of saying “phoebe”. Listening for the sharp, clear whistling quality, territorial repetition, and appropriate habitat for Eastern Phoebes are good ways to confirm the caller’s identity. The phoebe voice is a classic sound of the American countryside, signaling the presence of these active, insect-eating birds.