Black Phoebe in Bent County

[Duane Nelson]

Birders,

Like everyone else in Colorado, the U.S., and beyond, I'm struggling
with stay-at-home restrictions due to covid-19. I'm confining myself
largely to Bent County, CO, sparsely populated enough that it's probably
easier to maintain social distance and stay safe than most locations.

I have been searching for Black Phoebe in Bent County for over twenty
years. I found one at the Purgatoire River near Higbee (Otero County)
during the second Breeding Bird Atlas about 10 years ago, within 10
miles of Bent County. Even though I don't think there are any previous
Bent County records, this was the most expected addition to my Bent
County list.

Today, at an undisclosed site within the John Martin Reservoir SWA, I
thought I heard one. When I got my binoculars, and camera on a phoebe,
it was an Eastern Phoebe, but I soon saw a Black Phoebe with it. The
birds were very interested in each other, which made it impossible for
me to photograph them as they flew into dense tamarisk trees where I
couldn't follow them. After about one and one-half hour, they returned,
but chased each other beyond my limits to catch up with them. Habitat is
a one-sided canyon with overhanging cliffs and suitable nest sites. In
fact, Eastern Phoebes nest here most years. I will keep track of
nesting, if it happens, and will be willing to return with others if the
Phoebes stick around and attempt nesting (provided the stay-at-home
order is lifted).

Other birds here today included Say's Phoebe, Canyon Towhee,
Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Bewick's Wren, and migrant Chipping and Brewer's
Sparrows.

Duane Nelson

Las Animas, Bent County, CO