Eastern Phoebes are winter birds in District of Columbia: the first arrive in late February, they are common by early March, peak in the second week of October (35% of checklists), and most are gone by early November.
When to look
First arrivalsFeb 22-28late February
Common byMar 1-7early March
PeakOct 8-14the second week of October
Most gone byNov 1-7early November
Best: the second week of October. First arrivals late February; most are gone by early November. Peak: on about 35% of District of Columbia checklists.
Janrare
Febrare
Marpeak season
Aprpeak season
Maycommon
Jununcommon
Juluncommon
Auguncommon
Sepcommon
Octpeak season
Novuncommon
Decrare
Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.
Share of complete checklists reporting it, by week (4 per month). Grey bars: fewer than 10 checklists, not counted.
Frequency is the share of complete checklists in District of Columbia that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
today
0%few checklistsno data
Each county is shaded by the share of complete checklists there that listed the bird, blended with the weeks either side. Darker is more often. It follows where people watch birds, not how many birds there are. How to read it.
Rock Creek Park (Chevy Chase)District of Columbia County, best the second week of October · 162 checklists that week, 1,502 in all75%
Pinehurst BranchDistrict of Columbia County, best the second week of April · 35 checklists that week, 584 in all74%
Kingman LakeDistrict of Columbia County, best late March · 78 checklists that week, 2,256 in all71%
Rock Creek GardensDistrict of Columbia County, best late March · 31 checklists that week, 1,328 in all69%
Theodore Roosevelt IslandDistrict of Columbia County, best late March · 149 checklists that week, 5,227 in all64%
Busy spots report more of everything; compare the checklist counts before you drive anywhere.
Best time of day
In District of Columbia, the Eastern Phoebe is most often listed on checklists started between 7 and 9 am (18% of those checklists).
Share of checklists started in each local hour that reported it. It reflects when people go birding as well as when birds are active. Grey hours have too few checklists (under 2% of the state’s, or under 200) to judge.Week-by-week table
Month
Days 1-7
8-14
15-21
22-end
January
1.5%
1.6%
1.8%
1.7%
February
2.9%
2.8%
1.7%
3.6%
March
6.6%
14%
25%
33%
April
32%
21%
18%
18%
May
17%
16%
15%
13%
June
11%
11%
13%
12%
July
15%
12%
8.3%
7.9%
August
8.1%
8.2%
6.2%
5.2%
September
6.2%
7.3%
10%
22%
October
37%
36%
31%
20%
November
11%
5.8%
5.4%
5.0%
December
3.6%
2.3%
2.8%
2.4%
Neighboring states
Maryland: arrives mid February, 1 week earlier than District of Columbia
Virginia: arrives mid September, 21 weeks earlier than District of Columbia
Delaware: arrives early March, 1 week later than District of Columbia
Pennsylvania: arrives the second week of March, 2 weeks later than District of Columbia
Common questions
When do Eastern Phoebes arrive in District of Columbia?
Eastern Phoebes are winter birds in District of Columbia: the first arrive in late February, they are common by early March, peak in the second week of October (35% of checklists), and most are gone by early November.
When do Eastern Phoebes leave District of Columbia?
Most Eastern Phoebes have left District of Columbia by early November, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early December.
When is the best time to see a Eastern Phoebe in District of Columbia?
The Eastern Phoebe is reported most often in the second week of October, on about 35% of District of Columbia checklists.
Where in District of Columbia are Eastern Phoebes seen most often?
By county, District of Columbia County have the highest peak reporting rates for the Eastern Phoebe (counties with at least 200 checklists).
