Black Phoebe
Sayornis nigricans
Also known as: Rocky Mountain Flycatcher, White-Winged Phoebe
About This Species
Watch for a small dark flycatcher perching low near water on fence posts, rocks, or bare branches, then sallying out to snatch insects before returning to the same spot. It favors streams, ponds, and irrigation ditches, often near buildings or bridges where it also nests, and pumps its tail up and down while perched. It is present year-round across much of its range, so almost any season works, though early morning activity near water is most reliable.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- A stable viewing distance of 10-15 metres with binoculars is usually enough to watch normal foraging without flushing the bird.
- Wild bird protection laws vary across its range from the western United States down to Central and South America, so check local regulations rather than assuming one standard applies everywhere.
- Keep pets leashed and give a wider berth during the breeding season, when nests tucked under eaves or bridges are easily disturbed.
LCAvesPasseriformesTyrannidae
Seasonal Activity
3,661,942 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
Photo
(c) Jamie Chavez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.