# Phainopepla (*Phainopepla nitens*) The Phainopepla is a shiny black bird with a cool crest on its head. It loves to eat berries and can often be seen perched on trees in the desert, singing its sweet song. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Desert ![Phainopepla](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Phainopepla_nitens_F.jpg&width=800) Photo: SearchNet Media from Tucson, Arizona, USA, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phainopepla_nitens_F.jpg) ## Appearance The Phainopepla has glossy, iridescent black plumage and a prominent crest for males, while females are sleek gray. Both sexes possess striking ruby-red eyes and a white wing patch visible during flight, making them distinctive. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Ptilogonatidae - **Genus:** Phainopepla ## Interesting facts - Baby Phainopeplas are born completely naked and helpless in the nest! - Males perform a dazzling "butterfly flight" dance to attract their mates. - Phainopeplas have bright, fiery red eyes that almost seem to glow. - Their name means "shining cloak" in ancient Greek! ## Special abilities - **Mistletoe Master:** Phainopepla can efficiently digest mistletoe berries because of their specialized digestive system that helps them get nutrients. - **Desert Navigator:** Phainopepla has special adaptations that help them find water and food in very hot, dry desert environments. - **Aerial Hunter:** Phainopepla can catch flying insects mid-air with incredible agility because of their swift flight and sharp eyesight. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 16-20 cm - **Wingspan:** 28-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.016-0.032 kg - **Lifespan:** 4-7 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-3 - **Incubation:** 14-16 days - **Migration Distance:** 1000 km ## Diet & Feeding A berry and insect eater, these birds especially love mistletoe berries! - **Age differences:** Young birds mainly eat protein-rich insects, while adults consume more berries. - **Primary Foods:** Mistletoe berries, Flies, Beetles, Elderberries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [American Mistletoe](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-mistletoe) (*Phoradendron serotinum*) — Key food source and seed disperser. - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — A common avian predator of Phainopeplas. - **Shelter:** [Honey Mesquite](https://www.snappit.app/explore/honey-mesquite) (*Prosopis glandulosa*) — Often nests and roosts within mesquite trees. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Crested](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crested): Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and do not try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Phainopepla? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Phainopepla? 16-20 cm ### What is Phainopepla's wingspan? 28-30 cm ### How much does Phainopepla weigh? 0.016-0.032 kg ### How long does Phainopepla live? 4-7 years ### How fast can Phainopepla move? 35 km/h ### What does Phainopepla eat? A berry and insect eater, these birds especially love mistletoe berries! ### Where is Phainopepla usually found? Desert ## Where to spot - [Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/red-rock-canyon-national-conservation-area) — Nevada, US · Nature Reserve - [Ruth Bancroft Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ruth-bancroft-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Selig Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/selig-zoo) — California, US · Zoo - [Alta Vista Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alta-vista-gardens) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/degrazia-gallery-in-the-sun-historic-district) — Arizona, US · Historic District - [Old Borges Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-borges-ranch) — California, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Phainopepla](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/phainopepla) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Phainopepla: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/phainopepla)