Small, gray, short-bodied, long-tailed, big-headed flycatcher

The Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) is one of the first birds to return to the breeding grounds in spring and one of the last to leave in the fall. They arrive for breeding in mid-March, and return to winter territories in September and October.

eBird’s animated map takes a look at the yearly migrations of  Eastern Phoebes

Eastern Phoebes breed all across Michigan in open deciduous woodlands, usually near water. They spend the winter primarily across the southeastern United States, ranging as far north as Virginia, southern Kentucky, and central Oklahoma and as far south as central Mexico. An insectivorous, this tyrant flycatcher sits alertly on low perches, often twitching their tail as they look for flying insects. They also eat fruits and berries in cooler weather.

The Eastern Phoebe's call is a sharp chip, and their characteristic song  fee-bee gave them their common name. They are a gray sparrow-sized bird with a lighter gray belly and no eye rings, no obvious wing bars and an all dark bill and legs. The Eastern Phoebe is a fairly short-bodied, long-tailed flycatcher with a thin pointed bill and a big-headed look when they puff up their small crest.

Sources:

-  Patterns from eBird -- Eastern Phoebe Migration

-  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Phoebe/id

Related articles:

• Shilly-shallying Golden-crowned Kinglet: Adorable! 
• Second smallest bird in Michigan 
• Black-capped Chickadee: Nature's Backyard Charmer
• Small Mysterious Black & White Bird Visits Mid-Michigan
• Keep Your Eyes Open for Migrating Warblers

Blogger Template by BlogTusts Sticky Widget by Kang Is Published by GBT.

Category › Bird of the week