Black Phoebe Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesBlack Phoebe
Adult (Northern)
Small, plump songbirds with a large, peaked head. Dark sooty gray overall with a white belly.
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 19, 2017Adult (White-winged)
Individuals from eastern Panama and farther south into South America are almost entirely sooty gray with white edging on the wings.
© David Monroy Rengifo / Macaulay LibraryQuindío, June 02, 2019Juvenile (Northern)
Juveniles look similar to adults, but have buffy wingbars.
© Loni Ye / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 28, 2020Adult (Northern)
Small, plump songbirds with a large head and a medium-long, squared tail. Dark sooty gray overall with a white belly.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 01, 2010Juvenile and adult (Northern)
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 25, 2008Not all videos have sound
Adult (White-winged)
Individuals from eastern Panama and farther south into South America are almost entirely sooty gray with white edging on the wings.
© John Reynolds / Macaulay LibraryPichincha, March 16, 2018Adult (Northern)
Found along streams, rivers, and lakes. Frequently pumps tail up and down while perched.
© Liam Wolff / Macaulay LibraryTexas, December 18, 2016Adult (White-winged)
Individuals in eastern Panama through South America entirely sooty gray with white wing edging. Found near water.
© Nick Bayly (SELVA) / Macaulay LibraryBoyacá, July 03, 2017Juvenile (Northern)
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 25, 2008Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesSay's Phoebe
Say’s Phoebes have a peachy belly while Black Phoebes have a white belly. Say's Phoebes are often found away from water and Black Phoebes are almost always found near water.
© Daniel Irons / Macaulay LibraryMaryland, November 10, 2016Similar SpeciesEastern Kingbird
Eastern Kingbirds are larger than Black Phoebes with a white (not black) breast.
© Frank Lehman / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, June 29, 2017Similar SpeciesEastern Phoebe
Eastern Phoebes don’t normally overlap in range with Black Phoebes (except in parts of south-central Texas). They have a whitish breast and gray head whereas Black Phoebes have a black breast and head.
© Epi Shemming / Macaulay LibraryOntario, May 22, 2017Similar SpeciesDark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Juncos have a thick, seed-cracking bill and spend most of their time on the ground or in foliage, whereas Black Phoebes have large heads and slender bills, and they sit out in the open and catch insects.
© Chris Wood / Macaulay LibraryColorado, December 28, 2016Similar SpeciesDark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Juncos have a thick, seed-cracking bill and spend most of their time on the ground or in foliage, whereas Black Phoebes have large heads and slender bills, and they sit out in the open and catch insects.
© sam hough / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, October 25, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Tyrant Flycatchers(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Tyrannidae)
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