Wild Life / eastern phoebe

in bird time

Hi, friends — It’s March 1! Somehow, the snow melts, the light returns, and winter makes way, even with an enormous storm last week. It’s been a tough one, the worst in years. I wonder about the bunnies under the shed, if they’re okay, and the foxes in the shrubs, waiting. Early spring is really for the birds, as they make their tiny ways back into our lives. I heard the first song in mid-February, and it brought a shocking amount of relief. A little trill can go a long way. Here’s to brighter days and muddy walks and busy creatures building nests. It’s time. — Amy Jean

Last year, an eastern phoebe pair built a nest on the crook of a gutter near our front door. Every time we opened the door, the little mother would fly away to a nearby tree. Eastern phoebes are sweet, soft-gray flycatchers, and migratory breeders here in Connecticut. They make a distinctive flick of their tail when perched. The gesture is almost like a mechanical toy—flick, flick, flick—and then a quick dart to another branch. They are fun to watch in that way. They keep their eyes on us.

I never removed the nest from last year, and, sure enough, in late February, I saw some extra material on the nest and a phoebe in a tree, flicking her tail at me again. Eastern phoebes are one of the first small birds to return in spring and are hardier than most. They’ve adapted well to humans and our buildings and seem to take an attitude of “don’t mind if I do.” As in: “Why wouldn’t I build a nest and raise my young on a gutter at your front door?”

The phoebe’s song is distinctive and cuts through the tall snow drifts and icy grasp of winter. Raspy and pure in two beats, the call sounds a bit like its name, “fee-bee.” They might raise two broods over a few months, and last spring I enjoyed seeing the hatchlings’ fuzzy heads pop up over the top of the nest and then soon after disappear.

I’m amazed to see the same birds again, our small energetic neighbors, catching insects in mid-flight. I take comfort in their plucky resilience and the surety that springtime is near. Even with another two feet of snow to contend with, we can still be sure there are brighter days ahead, “fee-bee, fee-bee,” say it with me.

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Eastern phoebe links—

• The MacCaulay Library has many recordings of eastern phoebes. My favorite is the first recording on the page, from New Jersey, with the precise note: “singing above boat rental.”

• Here’s the characteristic tail flick and oh they’re just such sweet creatures I love them 15 seconds of joy [Missouri Conservation via YouTube]

Favorite animal video of the month—

• . . . goes to two river otters playing in the snow at the National Aquarium [via YouTube]

Also—

• Please send in your stories of spring! We are all desperate for bright news. What creatures, what flowers, what skies have you seen? Favorite animal videos are also appreciated.

• My eastern phoebe drawing is for sale. Part of the proceeds will go to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology because they are incredible.

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Wild Life #59 / this free monthly newsletter is a place to learn about the life around us, one fee-bee at a time. I do this because I’m not sure what to do about the millions of species in danger of extinction. It means something to see and enjoy the life around us. Please share with friends and family so everyone can know the friendly phoebe. Thanks for being there!