Phoebe (bird)
| Phoebes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sayornis phoebe | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Tyrannidae |
| Genus: | Sayornis Bonaparte, 1854 |
| Species | |
|
See text. | |
The genus Sayornis is a small group of medium-sized insect-eating birds, known as phoebes, in the tyrant flycatcher family Tyrannidae. The genus name Sayornis is constructed from the specific part of Charles Lucien Bonaparte's name for Say's phoebe, Muscicapa saya, and Ancient Greek ornis, "bird".[1] The English Phoebe is a name for the Roman moon-goddess Diana.[2]
Description
They are native to North and South America.
They prefer semi-open or open areas. These birds wait on a perch and then catch insects. Their nest is an open cup sometimes placed on man-made structures.
They often slowly lower and raise their tails while perched.
Species
The full list of species is:
- Eastern phoebe — Sayornis phoebe
- Black phoebe — Sayornis nigricans
- Say's phoebe — Sayornis saya
References
- ↑ Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. p. 349. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
- ↑ "Phoebe". Oxford English Dictionary (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press. September 2005. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
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