Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

Year-round in CharlotteCommon

The take

The tail-wagging flycatcher that says its own name from the low branch by the creek.

How to ID it

  • Brownish-gray above and off-white below, with the head the darkest part of the upperparts
  • Plump, large-headed flycatcher with a short, thin bill
  • Perches low, sallies out for insects, and constantly wags its tail down and up

Field marks at a glance

Size
small
Head
dusky gray-brown, darkest on head
Call
raspy fee-bee

Where & when

Year-round in Charlotte

Learn more

Sources