Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), Arivaca Lake , Pima County

This Eastern Phoebe was discovered by Mark and Farrish Sharon on 03 January 2010 while participating in the Atascosa Highlands Christmas Bird Count.  It photographed by Mark at the same time. 

Eastern Phoebe is a rare but regular winter visitor to Arizona. 

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, not captured in a still photograph, is that it constantly dips its tail down.

03 January 2010, photo by Mark Sharon

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