POTD 4/29/26
FRIENDLY PHOEBE - An Eastern Phoebe hunts insects from a high perch. Phoebes are sparrow-sized flycatchers that have a conspicuous habit of dipping their tails gently while perched. Many unrelated species of birds have a habit of pumping or wagging their tails. Several possible explanations have been offered. A recent study found the rate of tail pumping increased when a predator was nearby. Perhaps sending the message - "I know you are here. I'm healthy and quick and you won't catch me, so don't try!"
Comments
Shelby(non-registered)
That really changes the tone of the interactions that I have had with the phoebes who nest outside my back door. I always interpreted the tail wag as a friendly thing, but probably they are scared of me and want me to know how speedy they are. Still, I think I will go on believing that they are wagging their tails at me like a happy puppy, because I'm a big silly ape, and that story makes me feel better about our relationship.
Bill N(non-registered)
Nice shot. a bird book with pics and captions like this would sell Bill
No comments posted.
Loading...
Subscribe
RSS
Keywords
Archive
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
© Paul Willis Photographs