Birdsong field guide
Say's Phoebe
Sayornis saya
A resilient, medium-sized flycatcher of the American West, distinguished by its drab grey upperparts and warm cinnamon-buff belly. It is a hardy species often found in arid environments where other flycatchers are absent.
What it sounds like
A plaintive, down-slurred whistle described as a thin 'phee-eur' or a sharp, dry 'pit' note.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
0:00 / 0:55
Field notes
- Named in honor of Thomas Say, an American naturalist who first described the species during the Long Expedition of 1820.
- One of the hardiest flycatchers, it breeds further north than almost any other member of its family, reaching the Arctic Circle in Alaska.
- Known for its nesting flexibility, it frequently utilizes human-made structures like eaves, rafters, and abandoned buildings in addition to natural cliff ledges.
- While primarily insectivorous, it is known to occasionally eat small berries when insect populations are low during cold snaps.
- Unlike its relative the Black Phoebe, it lacks a strong dependency on water and can thrive in extremely dry desert scrub and badlands.
Habitat
Arid open country, desert scrub, canyons, ranches, and dry grasslands.
Range
Western North America, ranging from Alaska and western Canada down through the western United States to central Mexico.
Similar & commonly confused birds
Heard a Say's Phoebe?
Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.
Identify a bird by its song