Say's Phoebe was killed in a violent altercation with a feral cat sometime Sunday. She was caught unaware as she collected insects to feed her two new chicks.
Say's Phoebe is a member of the Tyrannidae family. Her official name is Sayornis saya. Her only known relatives were the two chicks which had just hatched during the week preceding her death. They both perished within a few hours of their mother's death.
The human most familiar with the deceased said, "Phoebe was a great asset to our garden. She was always busy catching insects. She was a diligent and loving mother. Her song was sweet. She is missed!"
In lieu of flowers, cat owners are asked to be ever more vigilant. Cats should be loved and kept inside for their own protection as well as the protection of wild songbirds. Never abandon cats. Hungry feral cats along with unrestrained house cats kill over a billion songbirds a year.
