Songs
Males sing a raspy, two-parted song that gives them their name: "fee-bee.” It lasts about half a second. They also sing a variant of this song with a stutter or two between the two syllables; this is more often heard during or after aggressive interactions.
Calls
Both sexes also use a soft chip note to communicate. Males hovering at a possible nest site to show it to a female also give a nasal chattering call.
Other Sounds
Eastern Phoebes sometimes snap their bill mandibles together to make a loud sound at an intruder, predator, or, sometimes, a bird bander.
Find This Bird
The Eastern Phoebe’s eponymous song is one of the first indications that spring is returning. It’s also a great way to find phoebes as they go about their business in quiet wooded neighborhoods. Just don’t mistake the Black-capped Chickadee’s sweet, whistled “fee-bee” call; the phoebe’s is much quicker and raspier. During early summer, a great way to find phoebes is to quietly explore around old buildings and bridges. Look carefully under eaves and overhangs and you may see a nest.
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If you have a wooded yard, Eastern Phoebes may come to visit, and they may stay to nest if you have quiet outbuildings that could serve as nest sites. Phoebes are flycatchers, so they’re unlikely to come to feeders.