Documentation of
Black Phoebe
2015-038
Observer Information
Reporter:
Ted Floyd
Other Observers:
None with me at the time of the sighting, but numerous subsequent reports.
Species, Date, Time and Location Information
Species:
Black Phoebe
First Date/Time:
4/3/2015 10:04:00 AM
Last Date/Time:
4/3/2015 10:20:00 AM
Duration (total time in view):
16 minutes
County:
Boulder
Specific Location:
Boulder Creek & 75th Street
Number:
1
Age:
Adult
Sex:
Male
Plumage:
Breeding
Habitat
Along and in Boulder Creek
Viewing Conditions
Optics:
10x42 binoculars, Canon SX50 camera
Distance:
50-200 ft.
Light:
shaded (because I was in the woods near the creek)
Description of the Bird
Phoebe-sized flycatcher; erect, tail-pumping, active. Feeding close to and even in the water; tail-dipping; both sang and called. Interacted extensively with an Eastern Phoebe, apparently a female, including visiting a nest site.
Black above, white below; black breast sharply demarcated from white belly by pronounced upside-down V shape. Slightly crested; paler marks on coverts and tertials/secondaries contrasted with dark upper parts. Eye dark. See photos, attached.
Vocalizations: bright "chip" call and slurred "tsee-oo" song element.
Similar Species Discussion
Torrent Tyrannulet, Little Forktail... :-)
No, Black Phoebe is pretty distinctive. One problem, though, is Eastern Phoebe ancestry. As Eastern and Black phoebes--both populations of which are expanding in Colorado--come into contact, the problem of hybridization is acute. See recent articles in Colorado Birds and Western Birds by Pieplow and others. This bird, at least, appeared "pure," with its quite dark upper parts.
Resources Used
None--although I of course reviewed the photos I obtained.
Note: The files I'm uploading are uncropped, unedited originals. If you want to see cropped-in images, here they are:
http://tinyurl.com/BlPh-2015-04-03
Click on the images to enlarge.
Previous Experience
I've seen Black Phoebes extensively in North America, Middle America, and South America. I've seen all three phoebe species in Boulder County and elsewhere. Also, I've seen known or suspected hybrids (Black x Eastern) on several occasions in Las Animas County, Colorado.
Notes
Memory
Additional Information
Date Documentation Submitted
4/15/2015 3:15:00 PM
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Location Map
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