Song: While resting and while watching for insects, the Phoebe often perches upon the end of a branch or fence post and sings—“pewit-phoebe-phoebe-phoebe.” At the same time, he moves his tail with a sideway sweep, in a jerky little way. He is not much of a singer, but when the sound, “phoebe-phoebe” comes to us in March or early April, we know that Spring will soon be here.
Nest: The nest of the Phoebe is well built of mud, moss and other materials. It is sometimes lined with wool and feathers. The structure is placed on some flat surface, such as upon a rafter beneath a bridge or in a barn. Occasionally the nest is built under some sheltering bank or cliff. The eggs are usually white.
Of the Phoebe, Lowell has written:
“Phoebe is all it has to say,
In plaintive cadence o’er and o’er
Like children that have lost their way
And know their names, but nothing more.”
The Phoebe, a Flycatcher—7 inches