sayornis (for Thomas Say, American entomologist who accompanied Stephen Long on his 19th-century expedition to the Rocky Mountains during which the phoebe was described, and ornis, bird) nigricans (blackish)
Sunday, April 1, 1984 — 12:20 pm
Patagonia, Arizona — Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Sanctuary
The Black Phoebe is what you get if you cross an Eastern Phoebe and a Dark-eyed Junco. Its size, shape, and posture are very similar to the Eastern Phoebe. It is black all over except for a white belly. It was flitting about in the brush and small trees in the woods along the creek. It wagged its tail when it perched.