# Black Phoebe (*Sayornis nigricans*) The Black Phoebe is a small, cheerful bird with a black head and back, and a white belly. They love to catch insects in mid-air and can often be seen perched on fences or low branches. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 73 - **Habitat:** Urban areas, near water ![Black Phoebe](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Black_Phoebe_%2827563258319%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mike's Birds from Riverside, CA, US, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_Phoebe_%2827563258319%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Black Phoebe is a striking bird, almost entirely sooty black with a clean, crisp white belly and undertail coverts. Its dark head can appear slightly crested. This simple yet elegant plumage makes it easy to distinguish from other smaller, paler flycatchers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Tyrannidae - **Genus:** Sayornis ## Interesting facts - A phoebe's 'chip' or 'fee-bee' call sounds just like its name! - Amazingly, they often return to use the same nest site each year. - Both Black Phoebe parents help feed their hungry baby birds. - They often build nests under human structures like bridges! ## Special abilities - **Tail Wagging Communication:** Black Phoebe can constantly pump its tail up and down, a unique signal that helps them communicate their presence to others. - **Aerial Insect Catcher:** Black Phoebe can expertly snatch flying insects from the air, using agile flight to catch its quick-moving prey. - **Mud Mason Architect:** Black Phoebe has special saliva it mixes with mud to create sturdy, cup-shaped nests, protecting its eggs and young. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 14-17 cm - **Wingspan:** 25-28 cm - **Weight:** 0.015-0.022 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-8 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-6 - **Incubation:** 15-17 days ## Diet & Feeding Black Phoebes are expert bug catchers, mostly eating flying insects they snag in mid-air. - **Primary Foods:** flies, beetles, moths, bees, small spiders - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — A key part of the phoebe's insect diet. - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — A common raptor predator of small birds like phoebes. - **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — Snakes can raid nests for eggs and chicks. - **Shelter:** [Willow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/willow) (*Salix spp.*) — Nests often built on structures near willow-lined streams. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance, and never try to touch or catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black Phoebe? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Black Phoebe? 14-17 cm ### What is Black Phoebe's wingspan? 25-28 cm ### How much does Black Phoebe weigh? 0.015-0.022 kg ### How long does Black Phoebe live? 2-8 years ### How fast can Black Phoebe move? 40 km/h ### What does Black Phoebe eat? Black Phoebes are expert bug catchers, mostly eating flying insects they snag in mid-air. ### Where is Black Phoebe usually found? Urban areas, near water ## Where to spot - [Arroyo Conejo Open Space](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arroyo-conejo-open-space) — California, US · Park - [Atchison Village](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/atchison-village) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Hakone Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hakone-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Little Italy](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/little-italy) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Old Town Albuquerque](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-town-albuquerque) — New Mexico, US · Neighborhood - [Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/palo-alto-baylands-nature-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Black Phoebe](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/black-phoebe) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Black Phoebe: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-phoebe)