A black Phoebe, a small songbird with a black body and white underbelly, has been spotted in Salem, Oregon. The bird’s presence in the area is a rare sighting, as it is typically found in more southern regions.

Climate Shift

The black Phoebe’s appearance in Salem is an indication of a shifting climate, according to Willamette University biology professor David Craig. As temperatures rise, birds are changing where and when they nest.

Craig’s research shows that Oregon had only one confirmed black Phoebe nesting since 1940, but the species is now moving north as milder winters allow more insects to survive year-round. The black Phoebe is part of the flycatcher family, a group of birds built for catching insects in midair flight.

The bird’s nest was discovered beneath Salem’s Church Street Bridge, which provides a sheltered concrete overhang that mimics cliff faces the birds typically seek for nesting. The nest is a sign that the creek habitat is providing what the birds need to survive, with native trees supporting insects that provide food for the black Phoebes.

Original reporting: Salem Reporter — read the source article.