Black Phoebe
Family: Tyrannidae
Genus: Sayornis
Species: nigricans
La. passer sparrow, small bird
La. forma form, kind, species
Gr. turannos tyrant
La. -idae appearance, resemblance
La. tyrannus tyrant, despot, king
iLa. Sayorins for zoologist Thomas Say
La. nigricans blackish, swarthy
About seven inches long. Black or sooty brown head, breast and back. White underside. White wing linings and outer tail feathers.
Exhibits typical phoebe up and down tail motion.



Even if it’s a long shot, it’s very little effort.
Another has a 2″ by 6″ ledge, approximately a 6″ ceiling, an open front and partially open sides.
However, if shelter is available, there is no need for these designs.
Do not mount in a tree. Make sure objects that cats and squirrels can climb do not provide access to the nest. The idea is to simulate a cliff edge.

Black Phoebe Parent and Young,
William Lovell Finley & Herman T. Bohlman,
American Birds, 1907
Black Phoebe

Family: Tyrannidae
Genus: Sayornis
Species: nigricans
La. passer sparrow, small bird
La. forma form, kind, species
Gr. turannos tyrant
La. tyrannus tyrant, despot, king
La. -idae appearance, resemblance
iLa. Sayorins for zoologist Thomas Say
La. nigricans blackish, swarthy
About seven inches long. Black or sooty brown head, breast and back. White underside. White wing linings and outer tail feathers. Exhibits typical phoebe up and down tail motion.
These voracious insect eating birds are great neighbors. They catch insects on the fly and skim floating insects on water like the cliff swallow does. And they are a stunning regular sight if you can attract them to your yard.


Another has a 2″ by 6″ ledge, approximately a 6″ ceiling, an open front and partially open sides.
However, if shelter is available, there is no need for these designs.
Never install in a tree. Cliff nesting birds claim spaces that best simulate ledges on cliff faces which are difficult for predators to scale. They can also scan the surrounding area and below.

Black Phoebe Parent and Young,
William Lovell Finley & Herman T. Bohlman,
American Birds, 1907
Birds | Birdhouses | Plans | Forum
Birds | Birdhouses | Plans