Phainopeplas Glisten

A slim, sleek bird with a spiky crest, Phainopepla comes from the Greek for “shining cloak.” The name refers to the male’s glistening, inky black feathers, which are set off by piercing red eyes. And if the Greek name isn’t helping you picture it, a common nickname might: the goth cardinal. From February to April, they nest in pairs in the arid Sonoran Desert. From May to July, they form nesting colonies in leafy oak and sycamore canyons to escape the summer heat.

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Phainopeplas Glisten

Written by Bob Sundstrom

This is BirdNote.

Against the muted tones of the desert, Phainopeplas stand out boldly. A slim, sleek bird with a spiky crest, the name comes from the Greek for “shining cloak.” It refers to the male’s glistening, inky black feathers, which are set off by piercing red eyes.

[Phainopepla song, ML 136977141, 0:20-0:26]

And if the Greek name isn’t helping you picture it, a common nickname might: the goth cardinal. Females are gray, and both sexes flaunt light-colored wing patches in flight.

[Phainopepla call, ML 88990931, 0:01-0:06]

Phainopeplas have an elaborate courtship ritual. At twilight, a dozen or more join to fly in a circle. Females leave the flock to quickly consort with various males on their territories.

[Phainopepla song, ML 136977141, 0:30-0:37]

The species has arrived at the unusual adaptation of nesting in two different habitats and seasons. From February to April they nest as highly territorial pairs in the arid Sonoran Desert. From May to July, they form sociable nesting colonies in leafy oak and sycamore canyons to escape the summer heat.

[Phainopepla call, ML 88990931, 0.01-06]

Phainopeplas feed on mistletoe in the desert, which they help spread, and elderberries in the canyons. They are also adept at flycatching.

And then there’s that song—it just seems to fit a beautiful, shimmering bird.

[Phainopepla song, ML 136977141, 1:20-1:26]

For BirdNote, I’m Ariana Remmel.

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Senior Producer: John Kessler
Content Director: Allison Wilson
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Managing Producer: Conor Gearin
Bird sounds provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Phainopepla ML 136977141 recorded by P. Davis, and Phainopepla ML 88990931 recorded by E. Pandolfino.
BirdNote’s theme was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler.
© 2022 BirdNote May 2022 Narrator:

ID# PHAI-01-2022-05-18 PHAI-01

References:
https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/phaino/cur/sounds
https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/odd-bird-migrates-tw…;