Say's Phoebes in Alaska
When Say's phoebes are present in Alaska, when they nest, which native Alaska plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 1a–8a yard.
- Status in Alaska
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- May–June
- Broods
- 1–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 1a–8a
When to expect Say's phoebes in Alaska
Say's Phoebes are summer residents in Alaska, arriving shortly before nesting begins in May and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on bees, wasps and beetles.
Subarctic interior, temperate rainforest in the Southeast panhandle, and Arctic tundra on the North Slope.
Nesting in Alaska
Across Alaska, Say's phoebes typically nest from May–June. Nest site: cup on a sheltered ledge. Females lay 3–7 eggs, incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 14–16 days.
A short, explosive summer with near-continuous daylight compresses nesting into a few weeks.
- Say's Phoebes don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, white spruce, tamarack for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after June.
Native Alaska plants that attract Say's phoebes
Of the regional native plants we track for Alaska, these 5 provide food or cover Say's phoebes use:
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.
Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.
Feeding Say's phoebes through the Alaska year
Nests on ledges under eaves in dry open country; an early spring arrival.
- Best foods: .
- In Alaska's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are Say's phoebes in Alaska year-round?
No. Say's Phoebes are summer breeders in Alaska and leave for the winter.
When do Say's phoebes nest in Alaska?
Nesting in Alaska typically runs May–June, with 1–3 per season. Clutches are 3–7 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract Say's phoebes in Alaska?
Paper birch, White spruce, Tamarack, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch are native plants in Alaska that provide food or cover for Say's phoebes.
Say's Phoebes in other regions
Other backyard birds in Alaska
Sources
- Say's Phoebe — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Say's Phoebe life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Say's Phoebe — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alaska
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.