Say's Phoebe
A species of Phoebes Scientific name : Sayornis saya Genus : Phoebes
Say's Phoebe, A species of Phoebes
Botanical name: Sayornis saya
Genus: Phoebes
Content
Description People often ask General Info
Description
The say's Phoebe is a bold species of bird often found nesting in homes, buildings, and other developed areas where it will continue to come back year after year. Fossil records show that these birds have been present in some areas for 400,000 years. The say's Phoebe is named after the “father of American entomology,” Thomas Say.
Size
18 - 20 cm
Life Expectancy
5 years
Nest Placement
Building
Clutch Size
3 - 6 eggs
Incubation Period
1 - 2 broods
Number of Broods
12 - 18 days
Nestling Period
13 - 21 days
Feeding Habits
Say's Phoebe captures insects like beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, flies, and bees midair or on the ground, launching from low perches in a behavior known as sallying.
Habitat
Say's Phoebe occupies a range of arid to semi-arid habitats, preferring open landscapes such as sagebrush flats, badlands, dry barren foothills, canyons, and desert fringes. They can be observed up to altitudes of approximately 9,300 feet. These birds avoid densely wooded areas and seek out dry, sparsely vegetated terrains. Although say's Phoebe can be found near water, they have a notable affinity for human structures in their environments. In winter months, their habitat extends to open, grassy fields with scattered shrubs and agricultural lands.
Nest Behavior
During nest building, say's Phoebe pairs scout sites together. The female may reuse and refurbish old nests or ones from other species, adding new lining.
Nest Characteristics
Say's Phoebe typically builds nest on protected ledges or pockets with overhead shelter on cliff faces, buildings, or bridges. The female constructs a cup-shaped nest using rocks, plant stems, sage, grasses, and spiderwebs, lined with hair, wool, feathers, or paper. Nests measure around 6 inches wide, 7 inches long, and 4 inches in diameter.
Dite type
Insectivorous
People often ask
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Bird Feeder Type
Platform
Sounds
Call
Recording location: Mexico
Call
Recording location: United States
Behavior
Say's Phoebe exhibit a behavior where they typically perch on low vegetation to forage, launching aerially to capture insects mid-flight. They exhibit a characteristic tail movement while perched, though less frequently than similar species. Their flight is noted for being effortlessly buoyant and well-coordinated. During breeding season, say's Phoebe exhibit early pair bonding, with unique courtship involving the male guiding the female to various nest sites, signaling with wing flutters and vocalizations. Remarkably, they often return to previous territories annually, and may reuse old nests, indicating a strong site fidelity. In the off-season, say's Phoebe live a largely solitary existence.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Tyrant flycatchers Genus
Phoebes Species
Say's Phoebe 
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