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Phainopeplas

Phainopeplas are common in arid scrub land, especially
near water sources, but may be found in a wide range of other
habitats were mistletoe fruit is abundant.


They have a uniform dark color, tall crest, longish tail,
red eye, conspicuous upright posture, and white wing patches.


Female and immature are gray with paler gray wing patches.


Flight is slow and graceful.

Call is a soft, short whistle.

The Phainopeplas is a member of the silky flycatcher family,
but have a diet consisting mainly of berries with mistletoe
berries being their favorite. They also eat elderberry, Poison
oak, juniper, grape berries, and as most flycatchers, insects.

Their name is pronounced: fane-oh-PEP-la


Phainopeplas nest in the early spring. Males build cup-shaped
nests in the dense foilage of trees or tall shrubs, often placing
them in or near a mistletoe clump. Both parents incubate
the eggs and feed the chicks crushed berries and insects.

Picture Phainopeplas



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