One of our earliest spring migrants is the Eastern Phoebe. These small flycatchers are gray-brown above (sometimes more gray, sometimes more brown) and whitish below, with a dusky breast. In the fall, their bellies can even take on a yellowish tint. They have a large, flat head that can appear peaked. Adults lack distinctive wing bars, though juveniles display buffy-brown ones.

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Like other flycatchers, phoebes are insectivores. They hunt by sallying—perching briefly before flying out to catch a tasty insect mid-air.

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Phoebes are also known for their loud, emphatic “PHOEBE!” song (not to be confused with the haunting “feee-beee” of Black-capped Chickadees) and their constant tail-pumping, which is often diagnostic when distinguishing them from similar species like the Eastern Wood Pewee.

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These birds are remarkably comfortable around humans and will often nest very close to us. In fact, they are so familiar that installing a nest structure on your home is a great idea. Fun fact: phoebes often return to the same nest year after year, so putting up a nest box can provide a reliable home for them season after season.

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For more information on the Eastern Phoebe, visit All About Birds. If you’re interested in installing a nest structure, see NestWatch.