• East view from Crissy Field overlook with old Coast Guard station on left and city on right

    Presidio of San Francisco

    California

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • CAUTION: Post Storm Damage to Coastal Trail

    The Presidio Coastal Trail segment just north of the Pacific Overlook and adjacent to Lincoln Blvd remains CLOSED indefinitely. We have posted signage to alert bicyclists and hikers and with information for safe trail alternatives. More »

Black Phoebe

(Sayornis nigricans)
 
Black Phoebe
A Black Phoebe at Rob Hill Campground.
Will Elder, NPS
 

Natural History: The Black Phoebe eats insects, then regurgitates pellets. It takes cover in riparian vegetation, nesting in cliffs, buildings, bridges, and other shelters near water. It constructs its nests out of mud and plants. Nesting season is from March to August.

General Distribution: In the Presidio, this species can be found around streams, springs, ponds, willow forests, ornamentals, buildings, and on telephone poles. It breeds within the Presidio grounds.

Frequency: This species is common all year.

Identifying Characteristics: The Black Phoebe has a black head, breast, and upper portion, and a contrasting white belly. It has a tendency to wag its tail and a distinct song of a strident fi-bee (rise), fi-bee (fall).

Presidio Birds main page

Did You Know?

Jonathan Letterman

Major Jonathan Letterman--after whom the hospital at the Presidio was renamed in 1911--was the medical director of the Army of the Potomac. A founding father of military medicine, Letterman organized forward first-aid stations, mobile field hospitals, and ambulance services during the Civil War.