Say's Phoebes in Nebraska
When Say's phoebes are present in Nebraska, when they nest, which native Nebraska plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–5b yard.
- Status in Nebraska
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- April–June
- Broods
- 1–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–5b
When to expect Say's phoebes in Nebraska
Say's Phoebes are summer residents in Nebraska, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on bees, wasps and beetles.
Continental, from tallgrass prairie in the east to the Sandhills and shortgrass in the west.
Nesting in Nebraska
Across Nebraska, Say's phoebes typically nest from April–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.
Hot summers with thunderstorms.
- Say's Phoebes don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as flowering dogwood, serviceberry, white oak for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after June.
Native Nebraska plants that attract Say's phoebes
Of the regional native plants we track for Nebraska, these 8 provide food or cover Say's phoebes use:
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Acorns plus hundreds of caterpillar species for nestling food.
Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.
Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.
Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Feeding Say's phoebes through the Nebraska year
Nests on ledges under eaves in dry open country; an early spring arrival.
- Best foods: .
- In Nebraska's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are Say's phoebes in Nebraska year-round?
No. Say's Phoebes are summer breeders in Nebraska and leave for the winter.
When do Say's phoebes nest in Nebraska?
Nesting in Nebraska typically runs April–June, with 1–3 per season. Clutches are 3–7 eggs, incubated for 12–14 days.
What native plants attract Say's phoebes in Nebraska?
Flowering dogwood, Serviceberry, White oak, Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, New England aster, Tall goldenrod are native plants in Nebraska that provide food or cover for Say's phoebes.
Say's Phoebes in other regions
Other backyard birds in Nebraska
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 — Nebraska
- 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.