Understanding the Behavior of Black Phoebes: A Guide for Bird Enthusiasts

At Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, we love hearing from the community about their backyard bird observations. Recently, April reached out with questions about Black Phoebes—a fascinating species of flycatcher native to the western U.S., easily recognizable by their sooty black bodies and crisp white bellies. April has been observing a male Black Phoebe who hatched in her yard in 2022 and inherited the territory. However, she noticed some unusual behaviors related to pairing up with a female, prompting her to wonder if this behavior could be due to the male not receiving “training” from his father, who passed away before he could teach his offspring.

We connected with our Naturalist and birding expert Julie to gather some helpful information on Black Phoebe courtship and territorial behavior. Here’s what we learned.

Courtship and Territorial Behavior in Black Phoebes

The courtship of Black Phoebes is a fascinating process. These birds are typically monogamous, with pairs staying together for up to five years, often raising two broods per season. When a male Black Phoebe is ready to court a female, he engages in a series of impressive display flights and calls. He may flutter beside her while she’s perched, and if she flies away, he often follows in pursuit. Males also perform a “song-flight” display, where they fan their tails, flutter their wings, and zig-zag or spiral upwards to a height of about 100 feet before descending. This behavior is a signal to potential mates and establishes his territory.

In the absence of a parental role model, it’s possible the male may exhibit slightly different patterns. However, many behaviors, such as courtship displays, are instinctual. As Black Phoebes tend to return to familiar nesting sites, the presence of a stable territory (even if the male missed some training) should support typical pairing and breeding behavior.

Nesting Habits and Training of Young Phoebes

Black Phoebes are known for their unique mud nests, which they often build in sheltered spots like cliff faces, bridge supports, or under building eaves. Pairs frequently return to the same nesting sites year after year, enhancing their bond with a specific territory. While young Black Phoebes may learn some territorial and feeding behaviors from parents, their instinctual drive to establish and maintain a territory remains strong, even if one parent is absent.

Though there is limited specific information on the “training” of young Black Phoebes by their parents, most birds are naturally equipped to survive and thrive with minimal guidance. The fledgling you observed has likely adapted to his role as a territorial male through instinct and may just need time to attract a mate.

Recommended Birding Resources

For bird enthusiasts looking to learn more about Black Phoebes and other local birds, here are a few helpful resources:

• All About Birds – Black Phoebe Life History: This page from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology provides an in-depth look at the Black Phoebe’s behavior, habitat, and courtship.
• Audubon Field Guide – Black Phoebe: The Audubon Society offers details on the Black Phoebe’s nesting habits and typical courtship displays.
• Birdzilla – Black Phoebe: Birdzilla allows birders to ask questions and access additional information on Black Phoebe identification and behavior.

Thank you, April, for sharing your curiosity about Black Phoebes with us! Observing and understanding bird behaviors enriches our appreciation of these incredible creatures. We encourage other bird lovers to reach out with their own backyard sightings and questions. Happy birding!

Julie Williams
Naturalist, ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary