Sayornis saya
The Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) is a charismatic and widely distributed flycatcher of western North America, known for its distinctive upright posture and frequent tail-wagging. Measuring approximately 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) in length with a wingspan of 30-33 cm (12-13 inches) and weighing 20-25 grams, this medium-sized passerine sports a drab gray-brown plumage with a contrasting rusty cinnamon wash on its belly, which is a key identification mark. Its dark, plain tail and faint eye-ring fur...
Say's Phoebes primarily inhabit open, arid or semi-arid environments, including grasslands, shrublands, deserts, canyons, and mountainous regions, often near human settlements. They can be found from sea level up to elevations exceeding 12,000 feet.
Their diet consists almost exclusively of insects, including flies, bees, wasps, beetles, grasshoppers, and moths, which they capture in flight through aerial hawking. Occasionally, they will also consume berries, especially during colder months.
These diurnal birds are typically seen perched conspicuously on fences, wires, or dead branches, keenly surveying their surroundings. Their primary foraging strategy is 'sallying,' where they launch from a perch to snatch flying insects mid-air, often returning to the same or a nearby perch. Male...
The Say's Phoebe boasts an extensive breeding range across western North America, extending from Alaska and western Canada, south through the western United States, and into Mexico. Its breeding stronghold covers nearly all states west of the 100th meridian, often extending eastward into the west...
Least Concern
- The Say's Phoebe was named after Thomas Say, an American zoologist who documented many species during expeditions in the early 19th century. - They are one of the earliest bird species to readily adapt to and utilize human-made structures for nesting, including bridges, culverts, and abandoned ...