Phainopepla nitens (Swainson, 1838)

Size

Phainopepla nitens is a striking bird species that measures 16–20 cm (6.3–7.9 in) in length.

Body Structure

Individuals are slender, with a noticeable crest, a long tail, a short slender bill, and an upright posture when perching.

Plumage

Males have glossy black plumage and a white wing patch that becomes visible during flight; females have plain gray plumage and a lighter gray wing patch.

Eye Characteristics

Both sexes have red eyes, which are more noticeable in females than in males.

Northern Range Limit

This bird's range extends north to central California including the San Joaquin Valley and southern Utah, and south to central Mexico's interior Mexican Plateau region.

Non-breeding Range

The southern edge of the plateau, the transverse mountains, is its non-breeding home.

Common Habitats and Distribution

It occurs in hot areas including desert oases, and is commonly observed in the deserts of Arizona, southern Nevada, and southern California, as well as the Baja Peninsula, including both northern Baja California and Baja California Sur, where it is the only breeding resident bird species.

Vagrant Records

Rare vagrant individuals have traveled as far north as Canada; one individual was recorded as far north as Brampton, Ontario, Canada in 2009.

Nesting Season

Phainopepla nitens nests in spring.

Nest Construction and Placement

It builds loosely constructed nests from twigs, mosses, and plant fibers, placing these nests on tree branches usually less than 20 feet above the ground, in thickets or open woods near water.

Egg Appearance

Its eggs are gray or pink with speckles.

Incubation

Both males and females take part in incubation, which lasts fifteen days.

Post-hatching Parental Care

Parent birds rear their young for up to an additional nineteen days after hatching.