Cooperative Living February 2014 - 31

EASTERN PHOEBE
S
ome species of birds have adapted
well to and even benefitted from
human incursions into " their "
territory.
One species, a common but not very
well-known bird, is the eastern phoebe,
which has taken readily to nesting on
manmade structures. Phoebes
commonly build on the windowsills,
shutters, light fixtures, eaves, and any
type of ledge, on houses or cabins and
cottages in the woods or along a lake
shore, in barns or in sheds.
They are especially attracted to
wooden bridges over streams and
sometimes culverts. Because the phoebe
builds nests mainly of moss and mud,
lined with grass, plant fibers, hair, and
feathers, it can plaster the nest on a flat
wall much like a barn swallow. In fact,
phoebes have been known to use old
swallow nests. Natural nest sites include
rock ledges or upturned tree roots,
almost always near water.
Phoebes are one of the " early birds "
of spring and the hardiest of the
flycatchers. Many phoebes never leave
the piedmont and tidewater forests of
Virginia, and in some cases they'll tough
out the winter along protected mountain
streams, as long as water is moving.
Those that meander southward will
begin returning as early as late January.
Since their main diet consists of flying
insects, they'll live mainly near water
where insect hatches occur at all times
of the year. Phoebes also feed on
caterpillars, beetles and flying insects. In
a pinch, they probably feed on small
berries like poison ivy and sumac.
Trout anglers, hikers, and hunters,
come in contact with this plain-looking
bird regularly, but are likely not to
realize it. It's a medium-sized,
nondescript bird that flits quietly away
from and around a hiker as they walk a
trail near an outbuilding, or a stream
near a bridge or culvert. Actually, it
seems curious and will show up
suddenly as if to investigate your
presence. The phoebe is nearly silent
during the cold months, uttering only a
February 2014/www.co-opliving.com
clear, sharp " chip " call when its domain
is invaded.
The eastern phoebe is not going to
win any bird beauty contests. Measuring
about 7 inches, both sexes are similar.
They are dark grayish-olive above, with
dingy white or yellowish-white underparts,
and grayish sides. The top of the
head is a darker olive-brown and is large
in comparison to the rest of the body.
There are no conspicuous wing bars or
eye rings, which sets them apart from
their other flycatcher relatives.
Phoebes are
one of the
" early birds "
of spring
and the
hardiest
of the
flycatchers.
The phoebe sits upright and has the
habit of waving, bobbing or jerking its
tail while perched. A similar species is its
cousin the eastern wood pewee that
doesn't show up until late-April. The
peewee is paler in color and slightly
smaller, with discernible wing bars.
Some traditional local names given the
phoebe are bridge bird, bridge pewee,
barn pewee, and water pewee.
Males begin calling and staking out
their territory as soon as they arrive or
when the time is right. During courtship
especially, the male will erect its head
feathers giving it a crested or shaggyheaded
appearance. Little has been
observed about its courtship activity
other than spreading the wings over and
above its back in a sort of dance. During
this time the male sings his song
constantly, described as a clear, " fee bee,
pew it, " repeated many times with the
second part either ascending or
descending in pitch.
The female will build the nest - a
sometimes messy affair using mud and
wet moss along with fine grasses, animal
hair, and feathers - in almost any
manmade structure, as well as in
natural cavities and upturned tree roots
along a river bank or rock ledges. A
phoebe will commonly return to the
same breeding area and even the same
nest year after year, refurbishing it and
adding to it each time, laying four to
six white eggs, speckled lightly with
dark brown on one end.
Incubation takes about 16 days, and
in two or three weeks the young are
fledged.
Phoebes typically raise two broods,
with the male finishing off feeding
chores for the first brood, while the
female starts the second brood around
June. In some areas, phoebes may raise
a third brood. Because phoebes use the
same nest over and over, mites infest
them and their young. They are also
frequently victimized by cowbirds,
which lay eggs in their nests.
The eastern phoebe is found from
the eastern United States to the Great
Plains, and in Canada from MacKenzie
east to Nova Scotia, and south to the
Gulf Coast. Across Virginia, it inhabits
forests near water.
Look for phoebes along streams,
small creeks, ponds and lakes, forest
edges, park-like clearings, orchards,
rocky ledges, embankments, and old
wooden structures.
As you walk through the woods,
a phoebe may accompany you, giving
you a good look at this quiet, secretive
bird. n
29
Cooperative Living February 2014

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