Species BirdsBlack Phoebe

Black Phoebe

Sayornis nigricans

CommonBird
Illustration of Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans)

The Black Phoebe is the only all-black flycatcher in North America. It is strongly associated with water, almost always nesting near streams or ponds where it builds a mud nest on a bridge or cliff. Its range has expanded in California along with suburban development and water features. Like other phoebes, it wags its tail constantly while perched.

Habitat
Streams, ponds, and canyon walls throughout the western US and Southwest
Diet
Insects caught in aerial sallies near water
How common
Common

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