John Kriewall: "The Black Phoebes know just the best places to wait for its next snack." Dudley writes: "These are lovely!! Thanks so much. Your "Bird" is a Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans). And the Goethe is both beautiful and apt." Black phoebes like to perch low over water, darting out to snap insects above the surface. Searsville Dam structure, 4:08 pm.