Black Phoebes are one of the few North American flycatchers tied so tightly to water that they're almost always within sight of a stream, pond, or fountain.
They build their mud nest on rough vertical surfaces — concrete walls, bridge abutments, even adobe — and reuse the same nest cup for many years.
Despite their name, they're not closely related to Eastern or Say's Phoebes; the three are an ancient New World lineage.
If you have any water feature in the southwestern US — even a small fountain — Black Phoebes are remarkably easy to attract.
A fountain, recirculating stream, koi pond, or even a regularly-filled bird bath. They'll prospect any moving water within a week.
Mount the open shelf 6–10 ft up under an overhang near water. Garage eaves, patio covers, and pergolas all work.
Aerial insects only. Plant native flowers to draw insects close to the nest.
Open ground and short grass for hunting; a few low perches (a fence, dead branch) within 20 ft of the nest.
Don't pressure-wash old nests. Phoebes return to the same nest cup year after year if undisturbed.
A southwestern and Pacific phoebe of streamsides and irrigation ditches, ranging from Oregon south through Mexico into northern South America.
Year-round resident throughout California, where almost any landscaped fountain or stream hosts a pair.
Resident through Arizona, New Mexico, and southern Nevada wherever there's permanent water.
Resident through almost the entire country south to Costa Rica.
A separate resident population through the Andes from Colombia to northern Argentina.
Permanent water — creeks, rivers, ponds, irrigation ditches, fountains. They almost always perch low (under 10 ft) with a vertical surface nearby for nesting.
No entrance hole, no front wall — just a sheltered ledge. Includes drainage and the integrated mounting tab.
See the full lineupShelves left up year-round are sometimes used as roosts in winter.