Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
Silhouette: Emily Willoughby · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyTyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
- GenusSayornis (Phoebes)
- SpeciesSayornis phoebe (Eastern Phoebe)
About the Eastern Phoebe
The eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) is a small passerine bird. The genus name Sayornis is constructed from the specific part of Charles Lucien Bonaparte's name for Say's phoebe, Muscicapa saya, and Ancient Greek ornis, "bird". Phoebe is an alternative name for the Roman moon goddess Diana, but it may also have been chosen to imitate the bird's call.
Measurements: Length: 5.5–6.7 in (14–17 cm) Weight: 0.6–0.7 oz (16–21 g) Wingspan: 10.2–11.0 in (26–28 cm) This species appears remarkably big-headed, especially if it puffs up the small crest. Its plumage is gray-brown above. It has a white throat, dirty gray breast, and buffish underparts which become whiter during the breeding season. Two indistinct buff bars are present on each wing. Its all-dark bill and lack of an eye ring and wingbars distinguish it from other North American tyrant flycatchers, and it pumps its tail up and down like other phoebes when perching on a branch. The eastern phoebe's call is a sharp chip, and the song, from which it may get its name, is fee-bee.
The eastern wood pewee (Contopus virens) is extremely similar in appearance. It lacks the buff hue usually present on the lighter parts of the... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Eastern Phoebe in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Contopus virens
Eastern Kingbird
Tyrannus tyrannus
Great Crested Flycatcher
Myiarchus crinitus
Acadian Flycatcher
Empidonax virescens
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Empidonax difficilis
Least Flycatcher
Empidonax minimus
Willow Flycatcher
Empidonax traillii
Alder Flycatcher
Empidonax alnorum
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Contopus cooperi
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
Carolina Wren
Thryothorus ludovicianus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Congaree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Big Cypress National Preserve | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Shenandoah National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Everglades National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Acadia National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 6 | Wood Buffalo National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 7 | Point Pelee National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 8 | Isle Royale National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 9 | Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 10 | Celestún Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 11 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 12 | Joshua Tree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 13 | Cape Breton Highlands National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 14 | Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 15 | El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Eastern Phoebe in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
About 40% of wildlife watchers report a Eastern Phoebe sighting in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based on 4,768 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Eastern Phoebe in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
October has the highest sighting rate for Eastern Phoebe in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in our monthly data.