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Black Phoebe

Sayornis nigricans

Photo by KarenSaxton
Published on Project Noah
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43.1804, -124.185

Field Notes

Description:

a passerine bird in the tyrant-flycatcher family. It breeds from southwest Oregon and California south through Central and South America

Habitat:

over the floodwaters

Notes:

These are quite common in our area

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (10)
KarenSaxton
I think it *could* be prey to hawks, although oddly enough, I've never seen a phoebe near a hawk or vice versa. They rarely perch in one place for any length of time, although while in San Diego, one rested on the sea wall at Mission Beach for quite some time allowing me to get a couple really nice close ups
HemaShah
This is a very cute bird and just do not like the idea. Maybe like yo said Karen,we could call it more erratic than weak.
HemaShah
My personal observation is that it could very easily become the victim of birds of prey. I have also seen a red shouldered hawk hanging around these phoebes.
KarenSaxton
I do. They're pretty thick around here. I don't think weak. I think erratic. But that's different
HemaShah
Try and observe it. After i read several link on it's flight i made it a point to observe phoebes which hang around near the local pond. it really makes sense.
KarenSaxton
Sounds more like a kinglet... but given this is a flycatcher, snapping up insects on the wing, I beg to differ it's weakness
HemaShah
"Weak fluttering bouyant flight with shallow wing beats". That is what this app says. http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/169/overview/Black_Phoebe.aspx
HemaShah
these are cute birds. Supposed to have a weak flight.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Birds of the World
Mission
The Pacific Northwest Bioregion
Mission
2012 Best Wildlife Photo
Photographed
PublishedMarch 22, 2012

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