North America’s western birds are often similar to their eastern cousins.

Based on color you might mistake this black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) for a very dark junco but his body shape and habits match the eastern phoebe (Sayornis phoebe).

Notice his flycatcher beak (not a seed-eating beak) and slightly angular head.  Like the eastern phoebe he perches prominently and upright.  If we could see him in motion, he’d be fly catching.  Right now he has a message for hikers.  😉

You’ll have to go west if you want to see this bird. Native to southwestern Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico and southwest Texas, the black phoebe barely migrates.  You can find him year round in Central and South America, too.

Click here for his range map.

(photo by Steve Valasek)