Common Nesting Birds

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Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya)


Photo © Lois Manowitz

Say's Phoebe nest

Photo © RenĂ© Corado

Say's Phoebe eggs

Photo © RenĂ© Corado

Adult Say's Phoebe

Photo © Tom Greer

Adult

Photo © Daniel Irons / Macaulay Library

Adult

Photo © Nick Tepper / Macaulay Library

Adult

Photo © Nick Tepper / Macaulay Library

Juvenile

Photo © Marky Mutchler / Macaulay Library

Adult

Photo © Christian Fernandez / Macaulay Library

Habitat

Photo © Sal Giambruno / Macaulay Library

Song

© Paul Marvin / Macaulay Library

Flight song

© Nathan Pieplow

Calls

© Jerred Seveyka / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Parker Davis / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Andrew Spencer / Macaulay Library

Calls

© Nathan Pieplow

When To Look

Source: Birds of the World

Where To Find It

Habitats

desert

grassland

Substrates

Cliff or Rock

In/On Building

What You'll Find

Nest Type

cup

Chick

Altricial

Clutch Size

4
5

Nest Height

10 ft
3 ft

Nesting Statistics

Incubation Period

12-18
days

Brooding Period

13-21
days

Useful Hints

  • Say’s Phoebe will use the old nests of other birds, particularly those of swallows and other phoebes.
  • Say’s Phoebe has benefited from the use of human-made structures for nest sites.
  • A pair may investigate potential nest sites together; the male engages in nest-showing displays while the female may show nest-shaping movements (i.e., rotating from side to side) at prospective sites.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Cornell Lab of Ornithology