This post is written by 16 year old Conservation and Environmental Stewardship Apprentice Vivian Kowieski

Say’s Phoebes are just one of the hundreds of migratory birds that visit San Diego each year. These little birds demonstrate great adaptability that is increasingly necessary for species to survive in the modern world. Here’s a look into what makes them so resilient.

Say’s Phoebes (Sayornis saya) are described as having brownish gray wings, back, and head; a blackish tail; and a distinct cinnamon-colored belly. They are a member of the flycatcher family, which as the name suggests, describes their diet. They are insectivores that feed on bugs like grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles. Amazingly, much of this insect-catching is done in mid-air! For the most part, Say’s Phoebes go where their food goes: vegetation that attracts insects also attracts these birds. 

Here in San Diego, you may notice different avian friends present around fall and winter. Some of these birds are following food sources south, as vegetation and consequently insects begin to disappear, whereas others are just stopping by on a longer migration northward. The Say’s Phoebe is part of the latter group; by early spring, they continue farther north to reap the rewards of rapidly growing insect populations.

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