Pyrrhuloxia & Phainopepla

Guest post by Ed Dahlberg

Predominately located in the southwest year round, Pyrrhuloxia are a cousin of the Northern Cardinal. Said to be a rather secretive bird that hangs out in arid brush, thorn scrub and mesquite habitat.

Interesting looking bird. The Phainopepla likes to nest in mistletoe and eats its berries, contributing to its spread. May be the only species to nest in two regions in the same nesting season, desert  in spring and then again in higher elevation. All this while they remain in the southwest. The male is black and female grey. Both have distinct orange eyes.

-Ed