Eastern Phoebe look-alikes
Sayornis phoebe
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Open the appSeveral birds can be mistaken for the Eastern Phoebe. Compare the key differences below to confirm your sighting.
Birds to compare
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Contopus virens
Key differences
Eastern Wood-Pewees have more prominent wing bars, a more upright posture, and a less noticeable tail-wag. Their song is a distinctive, slurred 'pee-a-wee' or 'pee-ooh'. They also tend to prefer denser forest interiors.
Say's Phoebe
Sayornis saya
Key differences
Say's Phoebes are found in western North America. They have a darker, sooty-gray head and back, and a distinctive rusty-orange belly and undertail coverts, which Eastern Phoebes lack. Their call is a soft, whistled 'pee-eer'.
Black Phoebe
Sayornis nigricans
Key differences
Black Phoebes are found in western North America. They are entirely sooty black with a contrasting white belly and undertail coverts. Their call is a sharp 'chip' or 'tseep'.
Least Flycatcher
Empidonax minimus
Key differences
Least Flycatchers are smaller, have a more distinct eye-ring, and two prominent wing bars. They lack the constant tail-wagging of the Eastern Phoebe. Their song is a sharp, emphatic 'che-bek'.
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