Phoebe

The genus Sayornis is a small group of medium-sized insect-eating birds in the tyrant flycatcher family Tyrranidae native to North and South America.

Description
Phoebes are medium-sized flycatchers, with lengths of 12.4 - 19.5 cm; weights of 16.9 - 22 g and wingspans of 26 - 33 cm.

Behaviour
These plump flycatchers have a distinct trait of dipping their tails downward, Black and Eastern have this habit but the Say's has a habit of flaring its tail. Relatively short-distance migrants, they are commonly found in open habitats, often near water or human structures and sometimes nesting under overhangs on houses, barns or under bridges. All species dart after insects.

Taxonomy
The Vermilion Flycatcher is closely related and shares many traits with the phoebes. It is found in the Fluvicolini tribe.

Species

 * Eastern Phoebe, Sayornis phoebe
 * Black Phoebe, Sayornis nigricans
 * Say's Phoebe, Sayornis saya