December 23, 2015 8:48 am
Last week we had a break in the cold weather pattern and turned into a mid 70ºs warm and sunny. I was elated because a day like that invited me to shoot some pictures. I went for a second time and refilled the feeders and then got behind my camera and waited. In matter of minutes one by one birds began to show up and enjoy their meals. Amongst those birds I noticed one bird still shy to approach the deck. It was an Eastern Phoebe! What a pleasant surprise! I haven’t seen a phoebe in my backyard for at least 3 or 4 years!. Not long after just flying from one tree to another, the visitor decided to move closer and joined the feeding group. I had a great time shooting pictures! Next is some more interesting information about this bird.
The Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) is a small passerine bird. This tyrant flycatcher breeds in eastern North America, although its normal range does not include the southeastern coastal United States. It is migratory, wintering in the southernmost United States and Central America. It is a very rare vagrant to western Europe. This species appears remarkably big-headed, especially if it puffs up the small crest. Its plumage is gray-brown above. It has a white throat, dirty gray breast and buffish underparts which become whiter during the breeding season. Two indistinct buff bars are present on each wing. Its lack of an eye ring and wingbars, and its all dark bill distinguish it from other North American tyrant flycatchers, and it pumps its tail up and down like other phoebes when perching on a branch. The eastern phoebe’s call is a sharp chip, and the song, from which it gets its name, is fee-bee.
Photo Gallery
Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101
Posted by H.J. for avian101
Categories: Birds from my Backyard, Birds Photography, Gallery of Birds
Tags: birds, Eastern Phoebe, nature, photography, photos of birds
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Lovely gallery thank you. You get such interesting birds.
By susanpoozan on December 23, 2015 at 11:10 am
Thank you Susan, I agree with you! 🙂
By avian101 on December 23, 2015 at 2:01 pm
A wonderful little bird. Nice series of photos! 🙂
By Julie Gomez on December 23, 2015 at 12:00 pm
Thank you very much Julie! 🙂
By avian101 on December 23, 2015 at 2:02 pm
Auguri Avian, un abbraccio grande
By enricogarrou on December 23, 2015 at 12:39 pm
Grazi mille Enrico! Abbracci! 🙂
By avian101 on December 23, 2015 at 2:06 pm
Congrats on the sighting, HJ! 🙂
I hope you and your family have a safe and happy Holiday season!
By bayphotosbydonna on December 24, 2015 at 7:14 am
Thank you Donna! Happy Holidays for you and your family too! 🙂
By avian101 on December 24, 2015 at 10:37 am
Congratulations HJ! Thank-you for the information about and the great shots of this pretty bird.
By clarepooley33 on December 27, 2015 at 12:57 pm
Thank you very much Clare! 🙂
By avian101 on December 27, 2015 at 1:04 pm
All the best, HJ!
By clarepooley33 on December 27, 2015 at 1:21 pm