My first hearing of the Eastern phoebe was down the road on Route 474, right across from the town barns. The second was around the corner from my home. Finally, I heard it on my own property. Spring is here!

This medium-sized flycatcher, which perches very upright, is pretty darn active. It constantly bobs its tail. Like its cousins, it sits out in the open, and makes short, quick flights to catch flying insects.

I just heard from a cousin in Florida. What a thrill to hear from her after a very long time. She is one of seven aunts and uncles, including my mother, who married Terry L. Carter Jr. Then, after thinking they could never have another child besides my brother, they had me! My brother was quite jealous of me. Mother nearly died, and I was pretty puny. I still am. I know, too much information.

Let’s see. How can I tie all that into the discussion of Eastern phoebes? Cousins. The topic bird is related most closely to pewees, kingbirds and crested flycatchers. Other relatives are in the empidonax family. We often see the Acadian, alder, and willow flycatchers. Good luck in identifying them in the field! Take your time. Try to observe them sitting still on a wire. They don’t sit for long.

Wouldn’t it be fun to watch them in courtship? You have to hide. Like humans, they might need their privacy. Their courtship doesn’t last long. Slam, bam! It’s done. Ugh! I always thought that the foreplay was great. Too much information? Sorry.

Now, the real work begins. If they build a nest, it might be located on a cliff or bank. They might take over ready-built homes. No, not trailers, apartments or houses. They prefer to live under bridges, in culverts, in other birds’ nests (sometimes of the barn swallow), as well as wells. (Tee hee.)

The nests are composed of mud, plant materials and other materials. Sorry, I forget, but I don’t have time to research it again. The lining job, which follows, is formed from hair, feathers and grass. This building project takes from seven to 12 days. Wow. They are not related to beavers, but they must be as busy as them.

A second clutch is often laid in the same nest, especially if the first clutch survived.

Do you get tired of hearing about me? Too bad. The next topic is diet. Uh-oh. Actually, I keep losing weight. I only have 7 pounds to go before I reach the lowest goal my doctor will allow me to reach. Hurray! I appreciate the phoebe’s diet. It includes small fish, berries and seeds. I eat cranberries, blueberries and flax seed very day with my yogurt. I don’t eat too much fish, but sometimes. I definitely draw the line at frogs. Leave them for the birds. I know, some folks are quite partial to frogs’ legs. My dad, who grew up in Tutwiler, Mississippi, thought that spearing frogs in the bayou was fun. Not me. This nature girl gets excited just from hearing the frogs. Right now, the spring peepers are going crazy.

If I were filthy rich, I would shut off the water pipes, take Bella, my dog, and head to the state parks in Florida. I have three good friends down there. It’s pretty nice. I’ll never forget the fabulous birds and mother manatee nursing her baby. Then, the restaurants are great. I did lots of walking, to work off the calories. “So, what does this have to do with the phoebe,” you ask.

The phoebe heads south, too. I have to ask my friends, the Karps, if they have seen one in Mexico, where they spend several months every winter. Someday, when my prince shows up, I might go to Mexico, too.

I’m not done. You can learn sad facts about our poor phoebe. You can learn the whole truth, but nothing but the truth about my sightings. Finally, you can learn of my first-of-the-year bird report. Another saw a male first, but I had both the male and female at my feeders.

You can get the rest of the report at annb2.wordpress.com.

Good birding and gardening to you!