Tag Archives: Black Phoebe

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Black Phoebes are insect eaters so this flycatcher Michele Melio photographed might be on the lookout for a passing bug.

Black Phoebes make their nests out of mud so they need to be close to a water source. Those who reside year round here have the Pacific Ocean, a handful of rivers, and many seasonal creeks for their needs. They have a whistling call that you can hear at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Phoebe/sounds

Here is a closeup of a Black Phoebe, this one taken by Craig Tooley.

Thanks to Michele and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

It's a cool, sunny day. Fog covered the Pacific Ocean for a while and there are some clouds passing by. Dry weather is predicted through the weekend, with rain the first of the week.

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Sara Bogard trained her camera on this beautiful Black Phoebe and found this flycatcher had nabbed an insect.

To listen to the chirping call of this bird, here is link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Phoebe/sounds

Thanks to Sara for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

We got a little rain last night - it wasn't much but it was welcome. Sunny and cool today.

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Black Phoebes are year round residents of the Mendonoma Coast. Craig Tooley recently photographed one perched on a branch.

I had one perch on the railing of our deck recently, giving its distinctive chirp. You can listen to its calls here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Phoebe/sounds

Black Phoebes are flycatchers, so you shouldn't be surprised that they eat insects that they catch in the air. Here's a fun fact from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's website:

"The male Black Phoebe gives the female a tour of potential nest sites, hovering in front of each likely spot for 5 to 10 seconds. But it’s the female who makes the final decision and does all the nest construction."

Of course it's the female who makes the final decision!

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photo with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, including his Pics O Joy during the pandemic, here is his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

Another sparkling, spectacular day today. Cold, windy and even wet weather is predicted beginning Friday. Bring it on, Mother Nature!

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While we "ooh and aah" over the two mature Bald Eagles seen at the mouth of the Gualala River nearly every day, there are other birds to admire. Andi Kahn recently photographed a Black Phoebe.

Black Phoebes make short flights to catch their favorite food - insects. They have a high-pitched call, which you can listen to here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Phoebe/sounds

Andi also photographed a Red-tailed Hawk resting in a tree.

Thanks to Andi for allowing me to share her photos with you here.