Say's Phoebes in Utah
When Say's phoebes are present in Utah, when they nest, which native Utah plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4a–9a yard.
- Status in Utah
- Summer breeder
- Nesting window
- April–June
- Broods
- 1–3 per season
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
When to expect Say's phoebes in Utah
Say's Phoebes are summer residents in Utah, arriving shortly before nesting begins in April and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on bees, wasps and beetles.
Semi-arid to arid, with the Wasatch Range rising above the Great Basin and red-rock canyon country in the south.
Nesting in Utah
Across Utah, 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, dry summers.
- Say's Phoebes don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as chokecherry, ponderosa pine, gambel oak for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after June.
Native Utah plants that attract Say's phoebes
Of the regional native plants we track for Utah, these 8 provide food or cover Say's phoebes use:
Insect-rich in fall and seed in winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Acorns for jays and woodpeckers across the southern Rockies.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.
Feeding Say's phoebes through the Utah year
Nests on ledges under eaves in dry open country; an early spring arrival.
- Best foods: .
- In Utah's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.
Frequently asked
Are Say's phoebes in Utah year-round?
No. Say's Phoebes are summer breeders in Utah and leave for the winter.
When do Say's phoebes nest in Utah?
Nesting in Utah 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 Utah?
Tall goldenrod, Chokecherry, Ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, Rabbitbrush, Douglas fir, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch are native plants in Utah that provide food or cover for Say's phoebes.
Say's Phoebes in other regions
Other backyard birds in Utah
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 — Utah
- 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.