Ear to the Wild: A Black Phoebe on Laguna de Santa Rosa

Black Phoebes are small black birds, with white bellies. They’re flycatchers and generally stay close to water. Hear one calling while hunting on the Laguna de Santa Rosa, on New Years Day, 2025.  Black Phoebes are small black birds, with white bellies. They’re flycatchers and generally stay close to water. Here’s one calling while hunting on the Laguna de Santa Rosa, on New Years Day, 2025. There’s a submerged tree with a branch sticking out above the water. The Black Phoebe is perched on it. And then he or she flies, just inches above the smooth surface – picking off insects and returning to the perch. Sometimes Black Phoebes even catch small minnows! The overcast sky, and the silhouettes of the leafless oak trees reflect on the still surface of the laguna. And the Black Phoebe's call rings out across the water. A Black Phoebe on the Laguna de Santa Rosa… Thanks for lending an Ear to the Wild. I’m Jack Hines. For more information, please visit eartothewild.com