Watercolor portrait of Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)

What does the Eastern Phoebe song sound like?

Sayornis phoebe
Song Common

Play the real Eastern Phoebe song, the "fee-bee", and learn what to listen for.

“fee-bee”

What the Eastern Phoebe song sounds like

A quick, two-syllable whistle that sounds like 'fee-bee' (sometimes phonetically noted as "phoe-be"). The first note is slightly higher in pitch and the second note is raspier or more emphatic. Males repeat this song over and over, especially in the early morning of spring, to advertise territory.

“fee-bee”

How to find the bird singing it

Open woodlands, farmlands, and suburban areas, typically near water. Often seen around bridges, barns, and other human structures.

  • Plain Plumage: Small flycatcher with plain gray-brown upperparts and an off-white belly. A slight olive wash may be present on the sides, and some individuals show a pale yellow wash on the belly in fresh fall plumage.
  • No Wing Bars: No bold wing bars or eye-ring (unlike many similar flycatchers), giving it a very plain, unmarked appearance. The wings and tail are dark with perhaps a hint of lighter edging but no distinct bars.
  • Dark Head: Head often looks large and slightly darker (sooty gray) on top. The bill is all black, fairly broad and flat (typical flycatcher bill shape for catching insects).

When you'll hear it

Winter

Most Eastern Phoebes retreat from the northern parts of their range for winter. They winter primarily in the Southeastern U.S. and into Mexico. In winter months, they frequent wooded streams, swamps, and open woods, still sallying for insects on milder days or eating berries when insects are scarce.

Spring

Arrives early in spring (often by March in the North). As soon as they arrive, males begin singing 'fee-bee' incessantly to claim territories. Breeding pairs start repairing old nests or constructing new ones on ledges under bridges or eaves. Insects emerging in spring are a crucial food source at this time.

Summer

Nesting and breeding season. Eastern Phoebes raise 1-2 broods during the summer. They are busy catching flying insects (like flies, wasps, and moths) to feed their nestlings. They often nest near water sources where insects are abundant. By late summer, the second brood fledges and the young learn to feed themselves.

Fall

Migration back south begins relatively early. By September and October, most Eastern Phoebes in northern regions have departed. During fall, they may become quieter, though some still call occasionally. Along the migration route and in southern parts of their range, you might see phoebes in open woods and fields, fattening up on insects and berries before winter.

Don’t confuse it with

Birds whose song gets mistaken for this one. Play them back to back.

Eastern Wood-Pewee

Another small flycatcher; the wood-pewee is slightly larger and has two prominent pale wingbars (which the Phoebe lacks). The Eastern Wood-Pewee's song is a whistled 'pee-a-wee' which is very different from the Phoebe's 'fee-bee'. Wood-pewees tend to perch higher in the canopy and do not wag their tails. Visually, the lack of tail-wagging and presence of wingbars help distinguish a pewee from a Phoebe.

Eastern Phoebe song FAQ

What does an Eastern Phoebe song sound like?
A quick, two-syllable whistle that sounds like 'fee-bee' (sometimes phonetically noted as "phoe-be"). The first note is slightly higher in pitch and the second note is raspier or more emphatic. Males repeat this song over and over, especially in the early morning of spring, to advertise territory. Birders write it as "fee-bee".
How do I tell an Eastern Phoebe from a Eastern Wood-Pewee by ear?
Eastern Wood-Pewee: Another small flycatcher; the wood-pewee is slightly larger and has two prominent pale wingbars (which the Phoebe lacks). The Eastern Wood-Pewee's song is a whistled 'pee-a-wee' which is very different from the Phoebe's 'fee-bee'. Wood-pewees tend to perch higher in the canopy and do not wag their tails. Visually, the lack of tail-wagging and presence of wingbars help distinguish a pewee from a Phoebe.; Eastern Wood-Pewees also have a less contrasting head (no dark head versus pale chest as in Phoebe) and a thinner all-gray bill (Phoebe's lower mandible can show some pale color, though usually dark). Range overlaps broadly in summer, but behavior and voice make identification possible..
When is the best time to hear the Eastern Phoebe song?
Most active during daylight, frequently seen perched on low branches, fence posts, or wires, making short flights to catch insects.

More Eastern Phoebe sounds

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