How to Identify Eastern Phoebes

Eastern Phoebes are one of the most familiar Flycatchers in the eastern half of North America. They can be easy birds to identify if you know exactly what you are looking for. Here's how to identify Eastern Phoebes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Understand the habitat of Eastern Phoebes. Eastern Phoebes live in Eastern North America--in the United States, Canada and Mexico. They are commonly found in suburbs, woodlands and farmlands and often nest on bridges and buildings.

2. Take note of the appearance of the Eastern Phoebes. Eastern Phoebes are dark-colored birds with brownish-gray upper parts and a dark head, tail and wings. The head and tail of Eastern Phoebes are darker than its back. The wings and tails are both pointed, and they have a dark bill, legs and eyes. The under parts of the Eastern Phoebe are generally white, with some pale olive coloring on the breast and sides of the bird. In the fall, the underparts are yellowish as well.

3. Notice that the birds are small and are typically between 14 and 17 cm in size. They weigh between 16 and 21 g and have a wingspan of 26 to 28 cm.

4. Listen to the sounds of the Eastern Phoebes. The call of the Eastern Phoebes is very clear and sharp and sounds like "chip." The song sounds like "fee-bee." It is harsh and whistled and the first note is accented.

5. Watch the behavior of the Eastern Phoebes. Eastern Phoebes distinctively wag and pump tails constantly. They are weak flyers, and during flight they show shallow wing beats and flutters.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't confuse Eastern Phoebes with Black Phoebes. Black Phoebes are darker in color than Eastern Phoebes, and have darker colored underparts.
• Don't confuse Eastern Phoebes with Eastern Wood-Pewees. Eastern Wood-Pewees have bars on its wings and don't pump or wag their tails like the Eastern Phoebes.

Resources

• Information on Identifying Birds
• All About Birds From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology