It occurs year-round throughout most of its range and migrates less than the other birds in its genus, though its northern populations are partially migratory.

Six subspecies are commonly recognized, although two are occasionally combined as a separate species, the white-winged phoebe.

Juveniles have browner plumage, cinnamon-brown feather tips on their body, and brown wing-bars.

It breeds throughout the Colorado River valley and occasionally is found to the north in southern Nevada and southwestern Utah, as well as Arizona and central New Mexico.

The black phoebe's breeding range in the United States extends as far southeast as the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

In South America it is found in the coastal mountains of Venezuela, through Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, to western Bolivia and northwestern Argentina.

It lives year-round in most of its range and is more sedentary (non-migratory) than either of the other phoebes in its genus (Eastern or Say's), although northern populations may be partially migratory.