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SUNBATHING BLACK PHOEBE

The Black Phoebe (Saynoria nigricans) found along the west coast and the southwest. He is a flycatcher and is quite common in Baja. This is the first time that I have witnessed the somewhat rare behavior of "sunbathing". Researching in the "Audubon Encyclopedia of North American Birds" I found that this behavior has been observed in many species. Most often sun-bathing is used to increase the bird's body temperature on cold days, however what I saw was a bird that sunbathed in the direct sunlight with a ground temperature that was well above 100 degrees F! It was about 96 F in the shade so obviously he wasn't cold! Here is the story with pictures:

I'm photographing the bird from about twenty feet away, a good looking bird that was very alert and active. He was 'hawking' insects at about one per minute. I prepared to take another picture and he suddenly fell off the branch and onto the ground. I had the impression that he had lost consciousness.

After flopping about for two or three seconds, he flatted out, spread his wings and tail, looked skyward and panted for breath. He stayed in this position for almost three minutes. He didn't move about or dust-bathe as I've seen many birds do. He just lay there panting. I thought he was in distress.

Suddenly, he drew in his wings and closed this tail. He stayed in this position for several seconds before returning to his former perch. Apparently none the worst for his sun bath.

He's back on the same perch. I focus and get another photo when the whole thing is repeated!! Off he falls just like before.

He is again on the ground. Again all fanned out, like before. He only stayed still a minute or so this time.

He looked Like he was 'refreshed', and took off, never to be seen again! Strange experience. I noticed while looking at the pictures that although the bird is in sharp focus, the feathers in his rump and upper tail coverlets seem to be blurry. In motion, or just raised to expose the skin to the sunlight? You decide.

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