Phoebe is a Biblical name. She is mentioned briefly in the Book of Romans. The word "phoebe" in Greek means "Beautiful Goddess". It is used for several different women in Greek mythology. The name was given to a small outer moon of Saturn. It was also given to a species of bird. That is what my write is about.(There is also a plant bearing the name.)
There are three phoebes. The Black Phoebe, Say's Phoebe, and the Eastern Phoebe. Ann and I saw our first Say's Phoebe on the stretch of land running out into Great Salt Lake. It was perched on a fence post near a corral. I saw my first Black Phoebe at a waterfall in some forgotten Western state. I saw an Eastern Phoebe this morning.....in our back yard.
The Eastern Phoebe comes down here in winter. It is a rather small bird with dark brown back and blackish head. It's breast is white with some yellowish wash. No eye-ring. It flicks it's tail when perched. It feeds on spiders and other tiny insects. It is a people bird, like the wren.
I watched this one take a shower. He was fully clothed. He likes our dripping bird bath. This one has been around here for several days. Ann saw it first. If I could hear I might detect it speaking his own name...."phee-bee, phee-bee". Since I can't hear that, I will just assume he is calling out his scientific name, "sayornis phoebe". Whatever his call he is a welcome bird among the sparrows and dove.
