Despite the cold, gray, breezy weather, a scattered flock of eastern phoebes turned up at the Forum Nature Area, in Columbia, yesterday. These common, summer flycatchers look like miniature eastern kingbirds and are easily identified by their habit of pumping and spreading their tail after landing on a perch. Best found along the wooded edge of streams and wetlands, they feed primarily on flying insects but, at this time of year, usually settle for larvae, seeds and ground-dwelling invertebrates.
Eastern phoebes are among the first "summer birds" to arrive in the spring, often turning up by mid March. Why they take their chances with the fickle Midwestern weather is a mystery and some undoubtedly succumb to heavy snow, severe cold or ice storms. Those that survive will build nests of mud and straw, which they place beneath rock ledges, eaves, bridges or barn roofs. One must admire their pioneering spirit!
