Black Phoebe

The Black Phoebe is a dapper, medium-sized flycatcher characterized by its 'tuxedo' look: soot-black plumage with a crisp white belly. It frequently pumps its tail vertically while perched.

Uniform charcoal black to dark sooty gray with a slight matte finish; underside is a duller, lighter gray

Pennaceous and tightly interlocked for aerodynamics, with a small plumulaceous section at the base for insulation

Smooth and matte on the dorsal surface, relatively stiff to provide steering during flycatching maneuvers

Solid black-gray coloration without banding, square-ended tip, and a dark rachis typical of the flycatcher family

Found near water sources like streams, ponds, and marshes, but highly adapted to suburban eaves and gardens

Year-round resident from the southwestern United States and coastal California through Central America to South America

Insectivore; plays a vital role in controlling flying insect populations including flies, wasps, and beetles

Say's Phoebe (feathers are lighter/cinnamon toned) or Eastern Phoebe (lacks the intense charcoal saturation)

The Black Phoebe is one of the few flycatchers that is almost always found near water; it builds mud nests under eaves or bridges

Feather appears in good condition with minor wear at the tip consistent with the bird's frequent tail-pumping behavior