I was making dinner one night earlier this year and my husband was out on the deck complaining about a mess all over the deck so I poked my head out the door to see what the problem was.

There was moss, dirt, twigs and other plant bits all over the picnic table, the grill, the deck floor, and the railings.

He was grumbling that “those birds” were back. I was secretly happy. It was no secret that he was not the least bit happy about their return. I look forward to spring; crocuses popping up, warmer temperatures, knowing the snow shovel is not going to be in use any longer and the return to the pair of Eastern Phoebes.

Because these birds return year after year, I decided it was time to learn a little more about them. I didn’t know what they were at first so when I posted a picture on Facebook asking friends and colleagues to help me with identifying these birds. Within minutes, I learned that they were Eastern phoebes.

What are Eastern phoebes?

The Eastern phoebe is reported to be one of the “tamest” birds. So much so that it is believed to be one of the first bird species to be banded. James Audubon tied a silver wire around one of the legs of a phoebe and documented its return the following spring.

My field guide described these little birds in this way:

“Eastern Phoebes are fairly nondescript with dingy white underparts, dark head, lacking the pale eye-rings and pale wingbars of most other small flycatchers. Other useful field marks include the manner in which they wag or dip their tails down instead of up while perched and their alert, upright stances.”

I was a little insulted for these birds that they were described as nondescript with dingy white underparts. It did not diminish my opinion that they were neat and handsome little birds.

As settlers changed the landscape these birds quickly adapted to the human disturbances. As more modern times saw the building of bridges and construction of barns and other buildings, these birds took advantage of those structures often building their nests on the flat surfaces provided by these structures. Of course, the new farming practices of crops and grasslands meant more insects which provide the flycatchers with everything they need to survive.

Attracting a mate

One of the most interesting aspects during the courtships of these birds is the males’ never-ending nest building for the female. They will choose several locations and start building the nests hoping to impress the females with the most ideal spots to raise their families. From the first nest to the one finally chosen by the females may take as long as three weeks for the females to make their choices.

I can relate because of a remodeling job we were doing in our home, where we have changed our minds repeatedly regarding the design.

The females lay between three and six buff-colored eggs that may be speckled with a small amount of brown. The nest is a deep cup woven with straw, hay, grasses, bark, lichen, feathers, plant down, dryer lint, string and leaves. The outer portions of the nest may be held together with mud and spider webs.

Diet and housing

I was leaving for work one morning when the male was at my storm door tearing the webs left by the spiders. They eat a large variety of insects as well as spiders. So, I guess not only was the male ripping down the spider webs in the corners of my deck but picking up a meal in the process.

Of course, I had to sneak outside to take photos every chance I had of the male and female as they began their courtship right up until the time the four young, they had in their nest fledged. Twice the female flew within inches of my head to chase me off as I stood under the carport with my camera.

I am sure she thought I was some sort of one-eyed ogre. The day before the young fledged, she actually made contact with the top of my head!

The male allowed me to take numerous photos of him while he posed. I think he was glad the young were about to leave and he was taking a well-deserved break.

Jeannie Carl is a naturalist at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center in Summit Hill. The center rehabilitates injured animals and educates the public on a variety of wildlife found in the area. For information on the Carbon County Environmental Center, visit www.carboneec.org.