Eastern Phoebes generally perch low in trees or on fencelines.
They are very active, making short flights to capture insects and very often returning to the same perch.
When perched, Eastern Phoebes wag their tails down and up frequently.
Like most small flycatchers, phoebes have short, thin bills used for catching insects.
Phoebes favour open woods such as yards, parks, woodlands, and woodland edges.
Other birds:
Bird species list: great blue heron, mallard, Cooper’s hawk, red-tailed hawk, belted kingfisher, hairy woodpecker, downy woodpecker, blue jay, American crow, eastern phoebe, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, American robin, European starling, northern cardinal. (15 species)
Valley views:
Today’s group:
Some botany:
NATURE POETRY
Hail, old October, bright and chill,
First freedman from the summer sun!
Spice high the bowl, and drink your fill!
Thank heaven, at last the summer’s done! – Thomas Constable (1812–81)
Miles Hearn
How I miss this place. I’m so glad I can share in it with these wonderful pictures!
I read in my reference book that phoebe are adaptable to suburban life and often make nests in the overhangs of garages.