Phainopepla

The male phainopepla has silky black feathers while the female's feathers are a subdued brown.  Each perches on an open branch to keep watch over their territory.

NPS/ T. Miller

Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) migrate each year spending the spring at lower desert elevations and moving to open woodlands later in the summer. It is currently suspected that Phainopepla may breed twice a year but this is poorly understood as it is not common for a bird species to breed in one habitat in the spring and a different habitat in the summer.

Phainopeplas belong to the flycatcher family and are able to catch insects in the air; however, this is not their only preferred mode of nutrition. Berries make up a large portion of their diets. Phainopeplas have a symbiotic relationship with parasitic mistletoe that grows on trees in the southwestern desert. The birds can eat up to 1,000 mistletoe berries in a single day. Once the mistletoe berries pass through the digestive system of phainopeplas, they stick to the branches of other trees where they will sprout into new clumps of mistletoe. Phainopeplas are somewhat territorial and will stand guard over nesting grounds and food sources. Occasionally, phainopeplas will flock together to feed on crops but overall they a solitary bird.

Identified by their shiny silky feathers and crest, and crimson red eyes, male phainopeplas stand out a bit more than their female counterpart which is a dull brown color. Males select a nesting site where they will build a small cup shaped nest with twigs, feathers, mistletoe or other suitable materials they may find. A pair of phainopeplas usually will lay 2-3 small eggs. The parents both share the duty of incubating the black and light purple speckled eggs for approximately 14 days and continue to feed and brood the young for approximately 2 weeks until they are ready to fly from the nest.