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Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
Phoebes often nest in outbuildings if they are allowed access through a broken window or open door. A pair of phoebes nested in our rear barn in 1998, in the midst of the temendous activity of the barn swallow colony. The phoebes began nesting well before the swallows - their nest with 5 eggs was discovered in late April and the young fledged May 25th. The pair always entered the barn through a small broken window on the west side and nested within 10 feet of the window. However, there were two active swallow nests between their nest and the window. The swallows used entrances on all three sides of the room, but most of their activity was on the east and north sides, away from the phoebes. Unlike the swallows, who fly directly to their nests, the phoebe always perched on the window mutten for as long as 3 or 4 minutes before flying to the nest. They also often stopped on the window for a minute or so on their way out. During this time, a swallow would ocassionally dart through the small (8x10") window, grazing the phoebe with its wings. Last year was the first time I noticed a phoebe nest in the colony room. They usually nest in the crib or wagon shed. It will be interesting to see if they choose to nest with the unruly swallows next year or return to a more private location.
PHOTO - The nest
PHOTO - Young in the nest
PHOTO - Adult at nest
PHOTO - Adult waiting at window
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© 1999, Richard Van Vleck, Taneytown, Maryland
