Say's Phoebe

The Say’s Phoebe is a graceful desert flycatcher commonly seen year-round in the Coachella Valley, recognized by its warm, earthy tones, long flicking tail, and buffy-orange belly. Preferring open, arid landscapes, it perches on low shrubs or fences, darting out to catch flying insects midair and sometimes gleaning food from the ground—making it a valuable natural pest controller. While most stay put in the Coachella Valley, some still migrate north to higher elevations or grasslands in summer. They nest on cliffs or human-made structures like barns and garages, and their adaptability, resilience, and opportunistic feeding—sometimes following larger animals or humans to snatch up disturbed insects—help them thrive in harsh desert environments.