The Say's phoebe has a brownish gray back, cinnamon belly, gray breast, and blackish tail. It is larger than a Dark-eyed Junco, but smaller than an American Robin, measuring 6.7 in (17 cm) long and weighing 0.7-0.8 oz (21-22 g). It can raise its head feathers into a small peak at the back.

The Say's phoebe is found year-round from western Colorado, southwest to southern California, east to the western panhandle of Texas and south through western Mexico. It breeds from Alaska south through western and south central Canada, south through North Dakota, the midwest and to New Mexico and westward.

The Say's phoebe is often found in deserts, where its cinnamon-washed bellies help it blend in. It can be quite vocal, making a clear, slurred whistle and a burry, hiccupping note. It can also be quiet and difficult to detect.

The Say's phoebe eats insects and builds nests in buildings. You can attract a pair by putting up a shelf attached to a building well before breeding season.