Male
Female
Description
Size: 7.75”
Plumage/Description: Males are a shiny black color. When observed in direct sunlight males appear to have a glossy bluish tinge. Ragged crest and red eye is diagnostic. In flight large white wing patches are visible. Females appear more gray in color, the white wing patch is barely noticeable.
Habitat: Residential, Oak/Chaparral, Pinyon/Juniper, Riparian/Deciduous
Time of year: Abundant in Summer, uncommon in other seasons.
Relative Abundance: Common in proper habitat
Behavior: Phainopeplas are usually associated with mistletoe. Rarely will you find a Phainopepla where there isn’t some mistletoe near by. In addition to eating berries Phainopeplas also eat a diet of insects. Not uncommon to see them flycatching from an open exposed perch just like kingbirds and flycatchers.
Diet: Insects, berries, fruit
Similar species:
Best Sites: Acker Park, Pioneer Park, Heritage Park
