Diet
What do eastern phoebes eat?
Flying insects; some berries in cold weather.
Tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae)Eastern PhoebeSayornis phoebe
Spring and summer diet
- Wasps, beetles and flies
Fall and winter diet
- Berries in the southern winter
Best feeder foods
- Mealworms
One of the earliest returning migrants; phoebes nest on porch ledges and under bridges.
Where eastern phoebes need winter food
Regions where eastern phoebes are present in the cold months:
Frequently asked
What do eastern phoebes eat?
Flying insects; some berries in cold weather.
What is the best food to feed eastern phoebes?
Mealworms.
What do eastern phoebes eat in winter?
Berries in the southern winter.
Sources
- Eastern Phoebe — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Phoebe life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Eastern Phoebe — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
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.