The Black Phoebe ( Sayornis nigricans) is a small, active flycatcher known for its sooty black body, crisp white belly, and constant tail-pumping behavior. Commonly found near water sources, from small streams to the Pacific Ocean's rocky cliffs, this bird has adapted well to human development, often building nests under bridges, in barns, or culverts. This article delves into the dietary habits of this fascinating bird, highlighting its primary food sources and foraging techniques.
Habitat and Identification
Within their range, Black Phoebes are common and conspicuous near sources of water and around human development. They usually stay low to the ground and perch in the open, so scan low branches, rocks and shrubs along the edges of streams, lakes, estuaries, and the seashore. The bird’s distinctive tail-pumping can help you recognize it from afar. Black Phoebes very often call out with a shrill, scratchy chip.
Primary Diet: Insects
The Black Phoebe's diet consists almost entirely of insects and other arthropods. Insects make up the great majority of their summer diet. They are primarily insectivorous, foraging in open areas over water, grass, or other substrates. The bird's strong association with water sources is due to the abundance of insects in these habitats and the availability of mud for nest construction.
Types of Insects Consumed
Black Phoebes consume a wide variety of insects, including:
- Small wasps
- Bees
- Beetles
- Flies
- True bugs
- Grasshoppers
- Crickets
- Damselflies
- Dragonflies
- Moths
- Caterpillars
- Termites
They also eat some spiders, ticks, and millipedes.
Read also: Rhino Diet Overview
Foraging Techniques
The Black Phoebe is a versatile forager, employing several techniques to capture its prey.
Sit-and-Wait Predation
The Black Phoebe is described as a “sit and wait” predator, perching within about 7 feet of the ground or the water and keeping a sharp eye out for prey. They sit in the open on low perches to scan for insects, often keeping up a running series of shrill chirps.
Aerial Hawking
Most insects are caught in mid-air, with the Black Phoebe darting out from its perch to snatch them. This is a common foraging strategy, especially over water bodies.
Gleaning
Some insects are taken from foliage while the bird hovers briefly. Black Phoebes may also glean insects from the surface of ponds or other water sources.
Ground Foraging
The Black Phoebe also drops to the ground to pick up insects there, especially in cooler weather.
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Additional Foraging Behaviors
They are capable of seizing small minnows from just below the water’s surface. Black Phoebes feed mainly during the day but occasionally hunt for insects around electric lights in the evening.
Nesting and Breeding Habits
Black Phoebes demonstrate strong breeding site fidelity, and a pair will return annually to the home nest to breed again, and often attempt two broods each breeding period. The nest is constructed by the female which combines mud with grass and weeds and plasters it in a protected area such as on a cliff face, a bridge support or culvert, or under the eave of a building. Nest Placement sees the male showing possible nest sites to the female by hovering in front of them for 5-10 seconds each. The female makes the final decision about where to nest. Black Phoebes originally nested in places like sheltered rock faces, streamside boulders, and tree hollows but have adjusted well to human-made structures such as building eaves, irrigation culverts, and abandoned wells. They often reuse the same site (or even the same nest) year after year.
Usually, 4-6 white eggs are deposited and incubated for a little over two weeks. The eggs are pure white and glossy, sometimes with light spots around the large end. Both parents bring food for the nestlings. Young usually leave nest about 16 days after hatching. Young may leave the nest in 2-3 weeks (Kaufman).
Adaptations and Habitat
Black Phoebes are closely associated with water sources, so look for them on cliffs and beaches of the Pacific Ocean, along riverbanks, lake shorelines, ephemeral ponds, parks, backyards, and even cattle tanks. They require a source of mud for nest building.
The adaptability of the Black Phoebe to human-made structures has allowed it to expand its range northward. Original nest sites were probably always on vertical streambanks or small rock outcrops in the woods, with a niche providing support below and some shelter above. Now it often builds nests under bridges, in barns, in culverts, or in other artificial sites. The same site may be used repeatedly, and the bird may build on top of an old nest. This adaptability has led to increased breeding densities in habitats where natural nest sites are limited.
Read also: The Hoxsey Diet
Conservation Status
Black Phoebes are numerous, and their numbers steadily increased by over 2% per year from 1966 to 2019, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 5 million and rates them 8 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score, indicating a species of low conservation concern. Black Phoebes have responded well to the increase in suitable nest sites brought along by human development, including buildings, culverts, and bridges.