Phainopepla
Phainopepla nitens
Unique bird of scrubby oak and mesquite habitats with a sleek body, shaggy crest, long tail, and staring red eyes. Males are shiny black with a bluish sheen; white wing patches visible in flight. Females and juveniles are ashy-gray. Often in small groups; forages mainly on berries (especially mistletoe).
Identification
The phainopepla is a striking bird, 16–20 cm (6.3–7.9 in) long with a noticeable crest and a long tail; it is slender, and has an upright posture when it perches. Its bill is short and slender. The male is glossy black, and has a white wing patch that is visible when it flies; the female is plain gray and has a lighter gray wing patch. Both sexes have red eyes, but these are more noticeable in the female than the male.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Phainopepla nitens
- Authority
- (Swainson, 1838)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ptiliogonatidae
- Genus
- Phainopepla
Range and habitat
The phainopepla ranges as far north as central California with the San Joaquin Valley and southern Utah, and south to central Mexico, the interior Mexican Plateau region; the southern edge of the plateau, the transverse mountains is its non-breeding home. It is found in hot areas, including desert oases, and is readily seen in the deserts of Arizona, southern Nevada, and southern California; also the Baja Peninsula, both Baja California-(north), and Baja California Sur where they are the only breeding resident birds.[citation needed] Extreme individuals have travelled as far as Canada, with one bird in 2009 reaching as far north as Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Biak Megapode
Megapodius geelvinkianus
A small, dark scrubfowl of forest and disturbed habitats on the Bay Islands where the only member of its family. Sooty gray plumage, bare red to gray face, slight crest at the back of the head, reddish legs, and yellowish bill. It scrapes the forest floor with its large feet to uncover invertebrates. More often heard than seen. Vocal, giving varied parrotlike squeals. A common call is 2 tuneless yelps similar to New Guinea Scrubfowl, the first note higher than the second.
Jackson's Hornbill
Tockus jacksoni
A medium-sized black-and-white hornbill. Males have a mostly red bill with a small yellow or white tip; females have an all-black bill. Both sexes show white spotting across the wing. Found locally in dry savanna, usually in pairs or small groups. Similar to Von der Decken’s and Northern Red-billed Hornbills, but separated from the former by the white-spotted wing and from the latter by the yellow-tipped (male) or all-black (female) bill. The call is a series of low clucks.
Taiwan Shortwing
Brachypteryx goodfellowi
A small, dark songster of montane forest floor and undergrowth. Note dark brown body with a fairly bold white eyebrow. Unlike most shortwings, there is little difference between male and female plumages, though eyebrow may be less conspicuous on females. Furtive and difficult to see well; forages on the ground of various types of forest, including bamboo, fern, and mossy forest. Song a short phrase starting with a high-pitched clear whistle, followed by a jumbled slightly flutey note. Call a relatively low, knocking wooden rattle.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.