Sayornis nigricans

Channelizing streams and removing streamside vegetation eliminates habitat for black phoebes. However, the construction of bridges and buildings has increased the availability of nesting sites and may have led to population increases.
Photo Credit: Alan Vernon
Sayornis nigricans
Common Name: black phoebe
Animal Guild: Bird
Class > Order > Family: Aves > Passeriformes > Tyrannidae
What does the species look like? Black phoebes are medium-sized flycatchers, about 16 cm (6 inches) long. It is uniformly black except for a white belly and underside of the tail. Juvenile plumage is similar to adult plumage except the black areas are darker than in adults, and the tips of the feathers have a pale brownish wash.
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, OR, TX, UT
Distribution

This species is a permanent resident from extreme southwest Oregon, coastal California, southern New Mexico, Arizona, and southwestern Texas south through Mexico and Central America and through the Andes in South America.

Black phoebes are almost always associated with water in habitats that include coastal cliffs, banks of rivers, creeks and streams, borders of lakes, ephemeral ponds, fountains in parks, and cattle troughs. They forage in open areas over water, grass, and other substrates at elevations up to 9,850 feet. Nests are made of mud and are cemented to a vertical wall with overhead protection. Black phoebes historically nested on cliff faces, boulders, or broken tree limbs, but now they often use bridge abutments, culverts, and buildings.
General Phenology and Life History Black phoebes are permanent residents in much of their range, making the timing of migratory movements difficult to determine. Numbers increase in southern portions of the year-round range in the United States during winter, indicating some southerly migration to this area. Nesting takes place from February to June, depending on location. Incubation takes about 16 days, and the young begin to fledge 18-20 days later. Young birds are independent quickly, 7-11 days after fledging. Black phoebes are monogamous and frequently raise 2 broods of young during a breeding season; third nesting attempts are rare (most frequent after nest loss).
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see/hear...?
Activity Live individuals
One or more individuals are seen or heard moving about or at rest.
More...

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Feeding or foraging
One or more individuals are seen feeding or foraging. If possible, record the name of the species or substance being eaten or gathered, or describe it in the comments field.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Fruit/seed consumption
One or more individuals are seen eating the fleshy fruits, seeds, or cones of a plant. If possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Insect consumption
One or more individuals are seen eating insects. If possible, record the name of the insect or describe it in the comments field.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Calls or song
One or more individuals are heard calling or singing.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Singing individuals
One or more individuals are heard singing. Singing refers to stereotypical, simple or elaborate vocalizations (most commonly by males) used as part of territorial proclamation or defense, or mate attraction. It does not include relatively simple calls used for other forms of communication.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Territorial individuals
One or more individuals are seen or heard defending a territory. This may be indicated by calls or song used as part of a territorial proclamation, chasing of an individual of the same species from a breeding area (but do not confuse this with courtship behavior, which in some species may involve chasing), or calls or displays directed at individuals of the same or a different species to defend a feeding area.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Reproduction Courtship
A male and female are seen near one another and are engaged in courtship behavior. Do not include male displays in the absence of a female.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Mating
A male and female are seen coupled in a mating position, usually with the male on top of the female.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Nest building
One or more adults are seen constructing a nest or carrying nesting material.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Occupied nest
One or more adults are seen sitting on a nest, entering or leaving a nest site under circumstances indicating its use for nesting (including nest defense behavior), or live eggs or nestlings are seen in a nest.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Development Nestlings
One or more young are seen or heard in a nest.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Fledged young
One or more young are seen recently departed from the nest. This includes young incapable of sustained flight and young which are still dependent on adults.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Dead individuals
One or more dead individuals are seen.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Dead nestlings or fledglings
One ore more dead nestlings or young are seen.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Method Individuals at a feeding station
One or more individuals are seen visiting a feeder, feeding station, or food placed by a person.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
What do these phenophases look like?

There is currently no photoguide available for this species. If you'd like help us create one, use the guidance document and species template provided here. Then send it via email to education@usanpn.org when it is complete.