Black Phoebe

The Black Phoebe is a medium-sized flycatcher, being 16 centimeters (6.3 in) in length and weighing 15 to 22 grams (0.5 to 0.8 oz). It has predominately black plumage, with white on its belly and undertail coverts. In this specimen (Sayornis nigricans angustirostris), the plumage happens to be dark gray.

The phoebe can be recognized by a characteristic 'tail-wagging' motion, in which the tail is lowered and fanned, then slowely . It accomplishes almost all locomotion by flight, which is direct, with steady wing beats. Its song consists of two alternating phrases (tee-hee, tee-ho or sisee, sitsew). The song can be heard from both sexes, but is more commonly sung by males.