Synonyms: EAPH, Pewee.
Common migrant and breeding species throughout the state. Eastern Phoebe is certainly our region's most familiar flycatcher, nesting on bridges, barns, and even porch awnings almost anywhere wooded and near water. The species winters farther north than any of our other flycatchers (even sometimes successfully over-wintering in Maryland). This certainly contributes to their being our first flycatchers to return in the spring (early March). No other flycatcher is expected until April in Maryland. In fact, any suspected Eastern Wood-Pewee or Empidonax flycatcher (e.g., Acadian, Least) before April 25th should be thoroughly documented. Flycatchers are remarkably consistent in their arrival dates and even subtle changes in early dates are meaningful to science (e.g., monitoring signs of climate change).
Very common along the C&O Canal.
Feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates, especially flying insects. Supplements diet with fruit and seeds.
There are 1,357 records in the project database.
Eastern Phoebe in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/17/2022). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). - Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist.
Eastern Phoebe in Allegany Co., Maryland (4/2/2022). (c) smuller, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). - Sue Muller.
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