Eastern Phoebe

Sayornis phoebe

Introduction

A bit larger than a Spotted Flycatcher (to which it is unrelated) this extremely rare visitor from North America continually twitches its tail in a characteristic manner.

The Eastern Phoebe is a loner; even members of a mated pair do not spend much time together. They may roost together early in pair formation, but the female typically chases the male away soon after.

Key Stats

Status

Very rare

Weight

18.3g

Seasonality

BTO Records

1 record

Population and distribution stats for:

No data

No current data

No current data

No data

No current data

No current data

Status and Trends

Population size, trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO and partnership surveys and atlasses with data collected by BTO volunteers.

Conservation Status

Open Close

This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global)

Least Concern

Schedule 1 Licence required (to disturb)*

Birds Directive Annex 1

* A guide only. Check details with the original legislation, especially those marked with an asterisk. See About Birdfacts for more information.

Population Size

Open Close

BOU Category

Source

First Record*

Lundy, 1987

* First documented occurrence. Most species undoubtedly occurred before this. See About Birdfacts for more information.

Population Change

Open Close

Population trends of this scarce species are not routinely monitored.

Distribution

Open Close

This vagrant is too rarely reported to map distribution.

Distribution Change

Open Close

This vagrant is too rarely reported to map distribution change.

Seasonality

Open Close

This species has been too rarely reported to BirdTrack during 2011–22 to properly assess seasonality.

Movement

Information about Eastern Phoebe movements and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.

Britain & Ireland movement

Open Close

View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report

European movements

Open Close

EuroBirdPortal uses birdwatcher's records, such as those logged in BirdTrack to map the flows of birds as they arrive and depart Europe. See maps for this species here.

Biology

Lifecycle and body size information for Eastern Phoebe, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.

Survival and Longevity

Open Close

Survival is shown as the proportion of birds surviving from one year to the next and is derived from bird ringing data. It can also be used to estimate how long birds typically live.

Classification, names and codes

Taxonomy, names and species codes for Eastern Phoebe

Classification and Codes

Open Close

Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae
Scientific name: Sayornis phoebe
Authority: Latham, 1790

Euring code number: 9090

Alternate species names

Open Close

Catalan: mosquer cendrós
Czech: tyranovec domácí
Danish: Fibii
Dutch: Phoebe
Estonian: salu-ojatikat
Finnish: harmaafiivi
French: Moucherolle phébi

German: Weißbauch-Phoebetyrann
Hungarian: szürke légykapótirannusz
Icelandic: Fógetafugl
Italian: Febe orientale
Latvian: austrumu fibija
Lithuanian: rytinis febas
Norwegian: Gråfibi

Polish: fibik oliwkowy
Portuguese: piuí
Slovak: pamuchár východný
Slovenian: vzhodni febež
Spanish: Mosquero fibí
Swedish: östlig fibi

More Evidence

More evidence from Conservation Evidence.com

Partners

Birdfacts is based on data collected by volunteers participating in surveys that are organised and funded by BTO, RSPB, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, JNCC and other partners.

BTO

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

JNCC

RSPB

Find a Species

Search by common or scientific name

Or view the alphabetical list of UK bird species