Eastern phoebe

Eastern phoebe photographed in Manitoba

The phoebe is one of the first flycatchers to return in spring, often arriving in April, and it announces itself with its own name, a hoarse fee-bee. A plain grey-brown bird with a dark head, it perches low and pumps its tail up and down in a way that is easy to recognize.

Phoebes often nest on ledges under bridges, on porch beams, and in sheds, building a cup of mud and moss. Some pairs raise two broods in a season and reuse the same nest in following years. The phoebe catches insects in mid-air, returning to the same perch afterward. It winters in the southern United States and Mexico.

To find out more about the eastern phoebe and the places it lives, visit All About Birds.

Here are some of my favourite frames of this bird.

Field notes in photographs

  • Eastern phoebe perched on a twisted bare branch
  • Eastern phoebe on a wire with an insect in its bill
  • Eastern phoebe perched on barbed wire
  • Eastern phoebe perched on a birch trunk against a green background

Eastern phoebe Manitoba sightings

Where and when you can find the eastern phoebe in Manitoba depends on the season and the habitat. You can see more species in the Manitoba birds section.

Map of Manitoba showing where the eastern phoebe nests, with major cities and lakes
Where to look for the eastern phoebe in Manitoba through the seasons: nesting in the Boreal Plains and the Prairies (gold). Habitat regions: National Ecological Framework for Canada. Boundaries: Statistics Canada. Lakes: Natural Earth.

Back to Manitoba bird photography, or see the portfolio.

Follow new photos

New work is shared on Facebook and Bluesky first.

Follow on FacebookFollow on Bluesky