Chirps and Cheeps

The other day while I was working in my office, I began to tune-in to a different "cheep" outside the window.  I scoured the huge Norway Spruce that's right near my window, looking for the source of that bird sound.  Finally, I spotted it: an Eastern Phoebe!  This is the first yard visit from a Phoebe that I'm aware of.

The next day - and for a few after that - the phoebe returned with a juvenile.  I managed to get a few halfway decent photos of them and will keep watching to try for more.

We enjoy a pretty long season for the Eastern Phoebe.  They are one of the first migrants to arrive here in WNY in the spring and they leave later in the fall than most birds.

Did you know the Eastern Phoebe prefers solitude? Although they nest and hang out near us humans - not seeming to mind our company - they don't hang around with others of their kind - even their mates.  Once mating is over, they both go their separate ways.