Sayornis saya
adult
Say’s Phoebe has a relatively large, long tail. The sexes are similar. Adults have mainly gray-brown upperparts that are darkest on the head. On the underparts the throat and breast are gray-buff, and this color grades to a dull peachy orange on the belly and undertail. The wings are dark overall but with subtly pale wingbars and pale fringes to the inner flight feathers. In flight, note that the underwing coverts are flushed peachy orange. Juveniles are similar to adults but the plumage is browner overall and the wing feather fringes are orange-buff.
Say’s Phoebe is present as a breeding species in western North America, mainly from April to August. Small numbers occur year-round in southwest U.S.A. but most birds winter in Mexico. The species is usually easy to see since it perches in the open, on wires or dead branches. Flying insects are caught during aerial sorties.
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 7.5 in (19 cm)
FOOD Insects and other invertebrates, but also berries
HABITAT Wide range of open habitats, including deserts, tundra, and grassland
STATUS Widespread and common summer visitor
VOICE Song is a whistled and repeated pit-seer. Call is a sharp pe-eer
