A says phoebe is a small species of bird found in many parts of North America. It belongs to the family of flycatcher birds and is known for its characteristic “phoebe” call. The says phoebe has a distinctive appearance that makes it easy to identify. Let’s take a closer look at what a says phoebe looks like.
Size and Shape
The says phoebe is a relatively small bird, measuring around 6 to 7 inches in length. It has a wingspan of about 10 inches. The body shape of a says phoebe is typical of many passerine birds – round and plump with a short neck and short legs. The tail is also quite short for a bird of its size.
Plumage
The plumage or feathers of the says phoebe are mostly drab grayish-brown above and pale below. The head is darker gray with a lighter throat. The wings and tail are dark gray-brown with slight paler edging. The belly and undertail coverts are whitish. There are two distinct white outer tail feathers that are noticeable in flight. The bill and legs are blackish.
Male vs Female
The male and female says phoebes look quite similar with no significant plumage differences. The female may be a bit duller in color while the male has a darker head. But overall they are largely indistinguishable. Juveniles have buffy wingbars and pale yellowish wash on the belly.
Subspecies
There are three recognized subspecies of the says phoebe which have only minor variations:
- S. s. saya – Eastern says phoebe – found in eastern North America
- S. s. sayornis – Western says phoebe – found in western North America
- S. s. newcombi – Newcombs says phoebe – found only on three islands near Baja California
The Eastern and Western forms are the most widespread. The Western form has darker upperparts while the Eastern form has paler underparts.
Behavior and Habits
The says phoebe is a very active bird, constantly flitting around in search of flying insects to eat. It pumps its short tail up and down almost continuously. It often perches upright on open branches or poles, rocking back and forth.
Says phoebes aggressively defend breeding territories and will chase away intruders. They may reuse old nests or natural crevices, often lining them with mud, moss, grass, hair and feathers. The female lays around 4-5 white eggs.
These birds are migratory, breeding farther north in summer and moving to southern areas for winter. But some populations in milder climates like California are year-round residents. When migrating or dispersing, says phoebes often travel singly rather than in flocks.
Habitat
Says phoebes frequent open woodland, farmland, suburbs, parks and other semi-open areas with a mix of vegetation and open ground. They are often found around bridges and overpasses which provide good nesting sites. In the west they also inhabit canyons, cliffs and open pine-oak forests. Access to mud or water for nest-building is essential.
Voice and Sounds
The most distinctive vocalization of the says phoebe is its namesake “phoebe” call. This is a clear, whistled “pheeb” or “fee-bee”. It is given frequently in an uneven rhythm by both males and females. Other calls include a short “chip”, harsh “tut-tut”, and softer whistled notes. The song is a brisk series of whistled “pheeb” notes.
Similar Species
The combination of small size, upright stance, pumping tail, gray-brown plumage and crisp “phoebe” call make the says phoebe easy to identify. But some similar flycatcher species include:
- Eastern wood-pewee – larger, wingbars, different call
- Eastern kingbird – larger, white throat/belly, crest
- Western wood-pewee – differences in plumage and vocalizations
The habitat preferences also help distinguish the says phoebe from even closely related flycatchers. It is unlikely to be confused with other more colorful songbirds.
Conservation Status
The says phoebe has a very large range and the overall population is estimated to be around 67 million birds. Although numbers may be declining in some regions, globally it is classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN. Conversion of farmland and draining wetlands are threats but the says phoebe remains common and widespread.
Fun Facts
Here are a few interesting facts about the says phoebe:
- It gets its scientific name sayornis phoebe from Greek words meaning “bird” and the mythological Phoebus who was related to the sun.
- Says phoebes aggressively defend nest sites, even attacking humans that get too close.
- They often reuse nests built by barn swallows, cliff swallows or even black phoebes.
- Parent says phoebes may feed nestlings up to 400 times per day.
- The older name “pheebe bird” was sometimes spelled “feebee” leading to the modern pronunciation of their call.
Conclusion
In summary, the says phoebe is a small gray-brown flycatcher identified by its upright stance, pumping tail, and namesake “phoebe” call. It has a nondescript plumage and short bill typical of aerial insect-eating birds. Found in open habitats across much of North America, says phoebes aggressively defend breeding territories but are otherwise quite approachable by humans. They construct mud nests on sheltered structures and raise multiple broods in a season. So the next time you hear a crisp “pheebee” call, take a closer look for this active little flycatcher!