They aren’t the most exciting birds on the planet, or even in New England for that matter. Eastern phoebes, however, are a bright spot in the region’s birdscape.

They don’t have flashy colors, impressive size or beautiful songs — in fact, just the opposite on all counts — but there is a lot to appreciate about eastern phoebes. My favorite thing about eastern phoebes is that they are one of the first migrant birds to return to New England in the spring. While most of the colorful songbirds return in late April or early May, phoebes come back to the region in mid- to late-March.   

Their early spring arrival comes just in time for many birdwatchers. About the time we are going stir crazy and desperate for new birds to arrive following many months of winter, the phoebes return and lift our spirits. Typically, I hear the first phoebe before I see it, and it takes a few seconds for the song to sink in and register. Then, when it hits me, I look frantically for the bird and, upon laying eyes on it, get a jolt of hope that spring is indeed coming. 

For me, eastern phoebes are a true sign of spring. The American robin is a bit misleading as a sign of spring because many robins overwinter in New England and, technically, they have been here all the while. I love seeing crocuses poke out of the ground in the late winter, but they bloom a bit too early to be a hopeful sign of spring. Additional snowfall and bitter cold often follows the appearance of crocuses. Phoebes, however, arrive at the perfect time. The days are noticeably longer, temperatures have warmed a touch, and April is within reach. 

Phoebes start building nests not too long after their arrival. The nests are often built under decks, eaves or other places where they may be spotted and observed. For the past three years, a phoebe pair has built a nest just outside one of the doors where I work. Checking in on the progress of the nest, eggs and babies is a fun and inspiring way to start the day. Two of those three years, however, brown-headed cowbirds have taken over the first brood. Luckily, the phoebes were persistent and successfully raised a second full brood in both years. 

Eastern phoebes remain a reliable sighting in New England throughout spring, summer and well into fall. Just as they are one of the first to arrive in spring, they are one of the last to leave in the fall. They do not go very far, either, opting to winter in the middle and southern portions of eastern U.S. and into Mexico. 

The other day, I took a walk and found the birdwatching to be a bit frustrating. Very few birds were around and, of those, many were high in a stand of oaks and not offering good views. I believe they were a mix of warblers and vireos, but again, it was tough to get good looks. I decided to take the field path back to the car and hoped to see palm warblers, yellow-rumped warblers and eastern bluebirds as they are common fall sightings hunting along the ground after the field has been mowed. Nothing.

As I reached the end of the field, I spied an eastern phoebe perched on a branch overhanging the field. It bobbed its tail as phoebes do and left its perch several times to hunt insects fly-catcher style and return to the same branch. Flying insects make up the majority of a phoebe’s diet. After watching it for several minutes, I continued along the trail. As I approached, the phoebe left its perch and landed on a branch a little farther down the trail. This went on about half a dozen times. I know the bird was just trying to avoid me and was likely annoyed by my presence, but it almost seemed as if it were leading me back to the parking area. 

Eastern phoebes may lack the pizazz of some of our other songbirds, but they are a steady, reliable presence throughout early, summer and fall. That’s more than enough for me.