Thursday, December 19, 2013

Black Phoebe

Black Phoebe
Black Phoebe at Santee Lakes, California on October 11, 2013. Photo by Greg Gillson.

The Black Phoebe is one of my favorite birds. With its perky behavior and sweet '"chip" call note it flycatches over ponds, porches, and out buildings throughout its range.

I first saw Black Phoebes in Death Valley on a visit there on Spring Break from High School in March 1976. Back then they could be found in Oregon, but only in the extreme SW corner. They have expanded their range remarkably since then throughout western Oregon. The first I saw in Oregon was on the south coast near Bandon in December 1993.

I get to see these birds every day now!

Hmm... looking at the photo above I believe I could have cropped it better and removed the blurry rock or whatever it is in the upper left. Let me see; I'll be right back...

OK, here. Try this...

Black Phoebe

What do you think--which one do you like better?

3 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I just one Wednesday, June 26th in Chula Vista on the Lower Otey River. I'll be living there in July. Can't wait to see this bird again.

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    2. Wonderful, Tracy! They make me happy.

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