I had a pair of Eastern Phoebes in my yard for 2 or 3 seasons and in March the female built her nest under the eaves of my porch. She disappeared for a few days but came back and sat on the nest. She died the first day on the nest and her mate is still here.
Do you think he realizes she's gone? Will he go find another mate?

If there are any eggs in the nest the male may continue to sit them and rear them,

If there are no eggs on the nest he will soon figure out that she is not coming back and will go off in search of a new mate, he may come back to the same nest to restart another clutch with his new mate or he may not as she may preffer to build herself a fresh one...

Hope this helps
Katie

All About Birds: Eastern Phoebe

I was really feeling very sad for this bird, left alone, but seems as though they are not mates for life nor do they rear their birds together.

Hi bushg
In most cases the male sticks somewhere nearby, even with attempts for the female to chase them off,
He will most certainly find another hen... :)
It is a shame for the loss of any birds life, and more than probibly the ending death was a result of eggbinding...

We don't get those birds in this country, but they are great looking ones :)

They have a really beautiful whistle... this site that I listed lets you listen to them.
I believe these are what we call mocking birds in my area... but I can't find a pic of them with their wings spread... btw the way if it is they are mean little buggers.

Hi..
The mocking birds latin name is Mimus polyglottos, so is not the bird you are talking about :)

Mocking birds are very striking looking birds, and have a bold and outgoing nature :)

ADW: Mimus polyglottos: Pictures picture of the mocking bird

Katie :)

Lol, that is the one that torments my cats... to me eastern phobebes resemble them a little.