They are primarily looking for some kind of overhanging structure to provide protection from the elements. Males return first from wintering grounds as far south as Mexico and north as New Jersey. Ideally, Phoebes prefer to nest near water since it means plenty of flying insects for its hungry chicks. The truth may, as with so much in life, lie on a spectrum somewhere among all of them, with no single one being the tail-all. And as anyone who saw Jurassic Park knows, birds descend from reptiles so.īird forums abound with heated back-and-forths about why one theory is superior to another. Evidence used to support this theory is that other animals also sacrifice their tails - including salamanders, squirrels, and lizards. The Phoebe will then have to wait until it’s next molt to grow them back. The idea being that if the Phoebe is caught, the hawk will only come away with a talon-ful of tail feathers. This is the bird’s way of, perhaps even subconsciously, visually signalling to a nearby predator that: “I know you’re there, so don’t bother trying to catch me.”Ī true tail of sacrifice - Some insist that the tail motion is either designed to distract/attract a pursuing predator. A study of Black Phoebe’s in California in 2011 found that when a potential predator’s call – a Cooper’s Hawk in this case - was broadcast, the tail-pumping rate tripled in Phoebes within earshot. Predator deterrent - This theory is gaining momentum in recent years. This is common in other birds that habituate near water such as Dippers, Waterthrush, and - wait for it - Wagtails. This theory goes that, as with other like-minded birds, they ungulate their tails to better break up their outline and blend in with their surroundings such as swaying branches, leaves, and a babbling brook. But now that the proverbial can is open and worms abound, let’s explore some of the more interesting theories:Ĭryptic camouflage - Phoebes prefer to nest near fresh running water when possible. So why do Phoebes bob (or “wag” or “pump”, depending on who you ask) their tails so much? I’m glad you asked. Most songbird chicks must hear and then imitate their parents songs, but a Phoebe’s genes have already pre-programmed its brain fresh from the egg. “Primitive” or no, a feather in the cap of Phoebes that most other songbirds lack is that they do not need to learn their song before belting it out. This less complex song than many other songbirds is due to the Phoebe having a relatively simple voice box with fewer muscles and fine control than the more melodious migrants such as Cardinals, Sparrows, and the, let’s face it, show-offy Warblers. All that to say it should be no surprise to you or me that the Phoebe “fee-bee” song is simple, short, and ras-pee, agree? The most creative it can get is to have the song either rise or, more often, fall in pitch at the end. The suboscines are considered to be more primitive in anatomy and behavior than the highly specialized oscines. Phoebes are part of the bird suborder “suboscine”, which is, naturally, distinguished from an “oscine”, or songbird. Its companionable song can be heard in your yard throughout summer and well into the autumn, with both sexes participating though males are the most vociferous - especially in breeding season. Phoebes aren’t known for their spectacular songs or singing capabilities (“ Smelly Cat” being the obvious exception), but what they lack in musicality they more than make up for in enthusiasm. For New England, that is either several days before or a week or two after the spring equinox - south to north. Uncannily, they return on almost the exact same day each year. The raspy, oft repeated call of “fee-bee” (I love it when a bird says it’s own name) is usually heard before you lay eyes on this happy harbinger of spring. They may not be the most visually stunning bird you’ll see in your yard this spring, but the arrival of the first male Eastern Phoebes is a soul-satisfying, calendar-turning event after a long northeastern winter. There he sits, singing and bobbing his tail all the while, sporting drab, brownish-gray and white plumage. A Phoebe with a mouthful of nesting material.
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