| Phoebes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sayornis phoebe | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Tyrannidae |
| Genus: | Sayornis Bonaparte, 1854 |
| Type species | |
| Sayornis nigricans[1] Bonaparte, 1854 | |
| Species | |
See text. | |
The genusSayornis is a small group of medium-sizedinsect-eatingbirds, known asphoebes, in thetyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae.
ThegenusSayornis that was introduced by the French naturalistCharles Lucien Bonaparte in 1854 with black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) as thetype species.[2][3] The genus name is constructed from the specific part of Bonaparte's name forSay's phoebe,Muscicapa saya, andAncient Greekornis meaning "bird".[4] The EnglishPhoebe is a name for the Roman moon-goddessDiana.[5]
They are native toNorth andSouth America.
They prefer semi-open or open areas near water. These birds wait on a perch and then catch insects, usually in pairs. Their nest is an open cup sometimes placed on man-made structures.[6] They aren't fond of dense forests, and prefer low perches.[7][8]
They often slowly lower and raise their tails while perched.[9][10][11][12]
The genus contains three species:[13]
| Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sayornis phoebe | Eastern phoebe | Eastern North America |
 | Sayornis nigricans | Black phoebe | United States, Mexico and Central America, and parts of South America |
.jpg) | Sayornis saya | Say's phoebe | United States and Canada |
