Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya)

Very rare stray in NC with only a couple previous records, Sam Cooper discovered this individual on private property in Carteret Co., NC. I was able to take these photographs on 12/2/2005. All pictures were digiscoped by hand-holding a Nikon CoolPix 4500 to the eyepiece of a Kowa TSN-824 spotting scope.
Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya)

Say's Phoebe is a bit larger than our Eastern Phoebe and has a slightly larger bill. Say's Phoebes are grayish brown above with a paler grayish throat & upper breast. The head, wings, and tail are darker than the back. The eye is dark and the bill is all dark. The belly and undertail coverts are an attractive shade of tawny/ochre.

This bird was quite active and acrobatic in the air, chasing down bugs and swooping around, much more "fun" to watch than Eastern Phoebes!

Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya)

Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya)

Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya) Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya)

Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya)


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Created on ... December 12, 2005 | Update on ... December 12, 2005 | jspippen@duke.edu


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