I was coming toward the end of a long bird walk, when I noticed Say's Phoebe. If you’re going “say what?”. Say’s Phoebe is a bird that is a member of the flycatchers. In the picture, it was trying to catch a fly just out of the frame. This bird breeds farther north than any other flycatcher. Breeding range goes from central Mexico to the arctic tundra. We normally see one or two passing through during spring migration. Say’s Phoebes are not picky when they decide where to build a nest. Machinery, mailboxes, old nests by other species and even on top of an oil pipeline. When I first saw this phoebe midday, it was mostly spending its time perched. But when I popped back out early in the evening, a light rain was falling. It was hanging out with a few Yellow-rumped Warblers. They all put on a great show, catching insects in the air.
Say's Phoebe
Every few years I'll see a Say's Phoebe in Banff National Park, each time it's special. I caught it in the air with the evening light hitting its wings.
