Say's Phoebe

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

The Say's phoebe (Sayornis saya) is a passerine bird, a member of the tyrant flycatcher family. It exhibits a barrel-chested silhouette with a squared-off head, and its plumage is a muted gray-brown above with a contrasting black tail. The underparts are a warm buffy cinnamon, deepening to a more vivid orange around the vent. This bird's tail is notably long, and when at rest, the primaries extend just past the rump. In flight, the wings appear rather pale, reminiscent of a female mountain bluebird. Juveniles mirror the adults but are distinguished by buffy orange to whitish wingbars and a yellow gape. An adult Say's phoebe measures approximately 7.5 inches in length, spans a wingspan of 13 inches, and weighs around 0.75 ounces.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Say's phoebe, look for its robust chest and squared head, along with its gray-brown upperparts and buffy cinnamon underparts. The long, black tail and pale wings in flight are key characteristics. Juveniles can be recognized by their wingbars and yellow gape.

Habitat

Say's phoebes are found in dry, desolate, and arid landscapes. Their preferred habitats include farmland, savannas, and open woodlands, often in proximity to water sources.

Distribution

This species is a common sight across western North America. Year-round, they inhabit areas from western Colorado to southern California, and east to the western panhandle of Texas, extending through western Mexico. Their breeding range includes Alaska, western and south-central Canada, North Dakota, the Midwest, New Mexico, and westward. In winter, they migrate to the desert southwest, southern Texas, and as far south as northern Central America. During migration, they may appear thousands of miles out of their typical range, with regular fall sightings in New England and Nova Scotia.

Behaviour

The Say's phoebe is an active hunter, sallying from perches to catch insects mid-air and occasionally hovering like an American kestrel. It also exhibits tail dipping while perched and feeds just above the water's surface.

Song & Calls

The Say's phoebe communicates with "song-like" displays, starting with a loud pitch that gradually levels off. This initial peak is distinctive to the species. Males predominantly perform the singing, which serves various purposes, including countersinging, territory patrolling, and early mating rituals. Some females may also sing.

Breeding

Breeding occurs from late March to late August, with a preference for open, arid country. The breeding range is extensive, from arctic Alaska to central Mexico. Nests are cup-shaped structures built by females under bridges, canyon walls, wells, and abandoned mine shafts, using grass, forbs, moss, and plant fibers lined with hair. Clutches typically consist of three to seven white, mostly unmarked eggs, sometimes with red spots.

Diet and Feeding

Say's phoebes primarily consume insects such as grasshoppers, flies, crickets, beetles, and bees. Their hunting techniques include aerial captures and ground pouncing. There are occasional reports of small fish consumption, and nestlings have a higher intake of soft foods compared to adults.