header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Commentary by Evelyne Vandersande
| Thursday, Jan 23, 2014

evelynevandersande_mugA friend was complaining about bird identification a few weeks ago. “I go outside and I can recognize a scrub jay and a mourning dove, but that’s about it. There are all those little birds fluttering about, and I have no clue what there are. How do I start to learn about them and recognize one from the other?”

Of course, always a good way to learn about birds is to come to a bird walk. There is one at Placerita Canyon State Park on the second Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and another one at the Castaic Lake Recreation Area on the first Saturday of the month at 8 a.m. It is a good way to learn the basics. Do not be intimidated. All levels of birders come to those walks. Just bring binoculars and a field guide.

A field guide is just a bird book with pictures explaining what the bird looks like, where you usually find it, and a few facts about its behavior. If you do not have a bird book, I recommend buying one with drawings of the birds versus photos of the birds, because they are a bit easier to use for identification. The artist makes sure all of the important specifics of the birds are easy to see, while a picture is just a fleeting instant snapshot of a bird.  Sometimes the picture does not clearly show every little detail, such as a spot under the belly or bars on a wing.

blackphoebeIf you just want to stay in your backyard and don’t want to look for a bird that’s just passing though in migration, or one that’s difficult to identify, I will choose something easy to see: the black phoebe.

It has a pretty name and it is here year-round. It is a good-sized bird, a bit chunky, larger than a house finch, and has only two colors: black with a white belly. So that is easy to remember. Male and female look the same, and both sing.

In this case, knowing its behavior makes the identification easier: They pump their tails up and down incessantly when perched.

They also have a small crest often worn flat on their head, but it gives them a funny look like they are wearing a beret.

One main reason you will see this bird so easily in your garden, on the paseo or in every city park is because of one crucial feature: the sprinkler system. Actually, often you can see a black phoebe perched on a sprinkler head, due to its need for water.

It belongs to the flycatcher family, which is the largest bird family on Earth. It is an insectivore, has a straight and thin beak, and won’t come to your bird feeder. It waits on a perch about 7 feet off the ground before flying out and catching its prey in the air.

Black phoebes eat bees, wasps, flies, beetle bugs, grasshoppers, spiders, etc. They can even catch small minnows from the surface of a pond. They feed mostly during the day but can also catch insects in the evening around an electric light.

BlackPhoebeInFlightThey are not shy and sometimes come really close to inspect what you are doing. When I put my bird cages outside, one often comes to see what is going on and perches on the back of a garden chair, checking us out for a good, long while.

They can be found in the chaparral, too, but they need to have a source of water because their nests are made of mud. Black phoebes are plentiful, and their number is actually increasing, based on bird surveys. Why is that? Human developments have helped them find good sites to build their nests under the eaves of buildings and under culverts and bridges.

Black phoebes are monogamous. Couples stay together during the nesting season as long as five years. They go their own way during the rest of the year.

They reuse nests from prior seasons and often raise 2 broods.

They have a neat courting ritual where the male makes a display flight in front of the female, fanning his tail and doing all kind of zig-zagging and spiraling to show off. At the end, and to impress her even more, it goes to the tree top and starts to sing with gusto. If she is in agreement, the female will decide where the nest will be built while the male will show her a few spots by hovering in front of different places.

The nest is made of mud lined with plant fibers, usually attached to a wall, taking advantage of an existing roof above for protection. The female does all of the construction herself or refurbishes her previous nest.

black phoebeThey will chase other birds from their nest if they are small, such as house finches, white-crowned sparrows and yellow-rumped warblers. If they are big like Cooper hawks or American kestrels, they will sound an alarm call and flee. On the other hand, they won’t shy away from larger predators such as coyotes, cats or ground squirrels. They will attack them swooping down and snapping their bill at them to deter them.

Why do we seem to see more black phoebes in the winter? They are resident in Southern California and do not migrate. This indicates that some individuals come from the north and go south to spend the winter with us. Also, some black phoebes move to higher elevations only during the mating season and then go back down into the valley for the rest of the year.

Why the sweet name of black phoebe? It describes the common song of the Eastern phoebe, a close relative. The black phoebe also has a sweet little 2-note call – “tee-hee” – and you will want to hear that.

Go outside. If you see a black-and-white bird, a little larger than a finch, close to your sprinkler head with a funny little patch of feathers on its head, you have it made. You made a perfect identification of a black phoebe.

 

Evelyne Vandersande has been a docent at the Placerita Canyon Nature Center for 28 years. She lives in Newhall.

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

3 Comments

  1. Kathy McAlpine says:

    This is my favorite bird to watch. When they fly, it’s like watching Woodstock in Charlie Brown cartoons fly. There are tons of them at Santa Clarita Central Park every summer on the fences near the baseball fields.

  2. Keith Taylor says:

    I was hoping that I might be allowed to use the Black Phoebe photo to create a painting.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
SCVNews.com