Adult
Description
Size: 7”
Plumage/Description: Male and female plumage similar. Black head, throat chest, back, wings, tail, white belly and under-tail coverts. Thin, sharp beak used to catch insects. Juvenile plumage similar to adult except juveniles have a rusty/chestnut color on black wings and back.
Habitat: Usually observed near a source of water, but occasionally will be found in agricultural settings or around horse property where there are abundant flying insects.
Time of year: Year-round, more abundant in summer than winter.
Relative Abundance: Common.
Behavior: Insect eater. Fairly follow, easy to locate due to frequent vocalization. Uses a hawking behavior of flying out from an
open, exposed perch to catch insects in flight. Frequently pumps its tail when perched.
Diet: Insects.
Similar species: Plumage wise nothing, size and behavior wise Say’s Phoebe and other flycatcher species.
Best Sites: Granite Creek, Watson Woods, Watson Lake, Willow Lake.
