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[[Image:Black_Phoebe.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Andy Bright<br>Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA]] | [[Image:Black_Phoebe.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Andy Bright<br>Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA]] | ||
| − | + | ;[[:category:Sayornis|Sayornis]] nigricans | |
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | The Black Phoebe reaches a length of | + | The Black Phoebe reaches a length of 14cm, and unlike other phoebes, has very contrasting plumage, black on the head, breast, back, wings, and tail, and white on the underbelly and under the wings. This species also spends more time along streams and ponds than the other phoebe species, and is not migratory but stays in its range year-round. Like other phoebes, it continually wags its tail when perched, and waits on open perches before flying out to catch insects. |
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| + | ==Distribution== | ||
| + | Mountainous areas of [[South America]] (Andes of northwestern [[Argentina]], western [[Bolivia]], [[Peru]], [[Ecuador]], [[Colombia]] and [[Venezuela]]; coastal mountains of Venezuela); [[Central America]] (from [[Panama]] to [[Mexico]]); southwestern [[North America]] (southwestern [[Oregon]] and [[California]] to west [[Texas]]). | ||
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==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|1]]</sup>==== | ====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|1]]</sup>==== | ||
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*''S. n. semiater'' - Western United States south to western Mexico. | *''S. n. semiater'' - Western United States south to western Mexico. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Habitat== |
| − | + | Highlands near water. | |
| + | |||
| + | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | The diet includes insects but occasionally fish. It dives into ponds to catch small minnows or other tiny fish. | ||
| − | == | + | The female builds the nest from grass and mud under a wall, bridge or cliff. 3-6 white eggs are laid and incubated for about 14 days; the young fledge in about another 14 days. Often two broods are raised in a season. |
| − | Song is a series of phrases, rendered ''sisee'' and ''sitsew'', and its call is similar to that of the Eastern Phoebe. | + | ====Vocalisation== |
| + | Song is a series of phrases, rendered ''sisee'' and ''sitsew'', and its call is similar to that of the [[Eastern Phoebe]]. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
# Clements, James F. 2007. ''The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World''. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019 | # Clements, James F. 2007. ''The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World''. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019 | ||
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{{GSearch|Sayornis+nigricans}} | {{GSearch|Sayornis+nigricans}} | ||
| − | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Sayornis | + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Sayornis]] |
Revision as of 14:52, 31 October 2008
- Sayornis nigricans
Identification
The Black Phoebe reaches a length of 14cm, and unlike other phoebes, has very contrasting plumage, black on the head, breast, back, wings, and tail, and white on the underbelly and under the wings. This species also spends more time along streams and ponds than the other phoebe species, and is not migratory but stays in its range year-round. Like other phoebes, it continually wags its tail when perched, and waits on open perches before flying out to catch insects.
Distribution
Mountainous areas of South America (Andes of northwestern Argentina, western Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela; coastal mountains of Venezuela); Central America (from Panama to Mexico); southwestern North America (southwestern Oregon and California to west Texas).
Taxonomy
Subspecies1
- S. n. amnicola - Highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama
- S. n. aquaticus - Southern Mexican highlands to Guatemala and Nicaragua
- S. n. angustirostris - E. Panama to Colombia, Ecuador, c. Bolivia and n. Venezuela
- S. n. latirostris - Andes of s. Bolivia and nw. Argentina
- S. n. nigricans - Highlands of northeastern Mexico
- S. n. semiater - Western United States south to western Mexico.
Habitat
Highlands near water.
Behaviour
The diet includes insects but occasionally fish. It dives into ponds to catch small minnows or other tiny fish.
The female builds the nest from grass and mud under a wall, bridge or cliff. 3-6 white eggs are laid and incubated for about 14 days; the young fledge in about another 14 days. Often two broods are raised in a season.
==Vocalisation
Song is a series of phrases, rendered sisee and sitsew, and its call is similar to that of the Eastern Phoebe.
References
- Clements, James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
