Eastern Phoebe
ExploreBirds
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
The Eastern Phoebe is a small, gray bird that loves to catch insects in the air. They are often seen perched on fences or branches, singing their cheerful song.
Habitat: Urban areas, forests
Appearance
The Eastern Phoebe is a small, plain bird with a dull gray-brown back and a whitish belly. It lacks any prominent wing bars or eye-rings, making it appear quite subtle. Its most distinctive visual trait is its constantly twitching tail, which it pumps up and down while perched.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyTyrannidaeGenusSayornis
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
64
Interesting facts
Wow! A phoebe's nest can look like a mossy cup, often stuck to a wall!
Wow! Eastern Phoebes are often one of the very first birds to announce spring's arrival!
Wow! They can catch many insects each hour, like a living fly swat!
Wow! They sometimes use the exact same nest location year after year!
Special abilities
Ability
Aerial Hunter
Eastern Phoebes can catch flying insects in mid-air because of their excellent vision and quick darting flight.
Ability
Tail Twitcher
Eastern Phoebes has a unique tail-wagging habit that helps them identify themselves to others.
Ability
Early Bird Migrant
Eastern Phoebes can arrive in northern breeding grounds very early in spring because they tolerate cooler weather.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 14-17 cm
- Wingspan
- 26-29 cm
- Weight
- 0.015-0.022 kg
- Lifespan
- 2-10 years
- Top Speed
- 40 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 3-8
- Incubation
- 15-16 days
- Migration Distance
- 2000 km
Diet & Feeding
These birds mostly eat flying insects, catching them right out of the air!
Primary Foods
- Flies
- Beetles
- Wasps
- Moths
- Caterpillars
- Spiders
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
hunts
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Catches adult honey bees in flight for food.
eaten by
Cooper's Hawk
Accipiter cooperii
A common avian predator of adult and young phoebes.
eaten by
Eastern Ratsnake
Pantherophis obsoletus
Raids phoebe nests for eggs and hatchlings.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Enjoy watching birds from a distance and do not disturb their nests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Eastern Phoebe?
The easiest way to identify Eastern Phoebe is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Eastern Phoebe?
14-17 cm
What is Eastern Phoebe's wingspan?
26-29 cm
How much does Eastern Phoebe weigh?
0.015-0.022 kg
How long does Eastern Phoebe live?
2-10 years
How fast can Eastern Phoebe move?
40 km/h
What does Eastern Phoebe eat?
These birds mostly eat flying insects, catching them right out of the air!
Where is Eastern Phoebe usually found?
Urban areas, forests
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Jun 3, 2026
Brackenridge Parki
Photo attribution
(c) Wes Copas, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 28, 2026
Lost Maples State Natural Areai
Photo attribution
(c) Matt D'Agrosa, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 25, 2026
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuaryi
Photo attribution
(c) Lythronax246, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 25, 2026
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuaryi
Photo attribution
(c) Lythronax246, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
May 25, 2026
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuaryi
Photo attribution
(c) Lythronax246, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Where to spot
Park48 sightings50 species
Virginia, US
Advance Mills
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Park45 sightings50 species
Alabama, US
Audubon Place Historic District
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Park37 sightings50 species
Pennsylvania, US
Bald Eagle State Forest
You might spot Mountain Laurel, Ghost Pipe, and Sweetfern.
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Park46 sightings50 species
Arkansas, US
Batesville East Main Historic District
You might spot Eastern Gray Squirrel and Asian Lady Beetle.
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Park48 sightings50 species
Virginia, US
Burke Lake Park
You might spot Great Blue Heron and Canada Goose.
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Park26 sightings50 species
New Hampshire, US
Chesham
You might spot Eastern Red-Backed Salamander and Eastern Newt.
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