Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), Muleshoe Ranch Preserve, Cochise County

This Eastern Phoebe was found by Houston Flores, Austin Cockman and Eric Watson at the Muleshoe Ranch Preserve, at the far end of the Nature Trail loop along the riparian section. It was photographed by Austin Cockman on 24 March 2009

Eastern Phoebe is a rare but regular winter visitor to Arizona.  It is casual after the middle of March. 

Note the dark cap, rounded head, pale throat, short primary projection and dark bill which help to separate  Eastern Phoebe from the Wood-Pewees. The best field mark for Eastern Phoebe, showed by this bird but not captured in a still photograph, is that it constantly dips its tail down. 

24 March 2009, photo by Austin Cockman