Imperio

Okay, going to say firmly and for the record to our Texas friends…we are NOT responsible for the frigid temps that have made its way down here this week. Purely coincidental that we happened to have arrived around the same time of the cold snap. We are definitely not used to layering this much in the south and Linda actually had gloves on today while visiting Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville. So cold the Monkeys were considering cuddling up with the Lions. Fortunately, the birding has been living up to our high expectations. Currently at 112 species fresh into the new year. I am behind my 2024 Average Year stats (link here), but did manage to get the 2025 page created and updated (link here). For the curious, I ended last year at 325 checks thanks to a late surge in December. Currently sitting 35 species ahead of that pace, but 19 behind 2023. Many birds still left to tin down here and plenty of time to get that done – sitting pretty, enjoying the pretty colors!

Apologies to those back home, we feel for you suffering through the snow and temps in the teens ..no, no, we really do! (Brad, can you make sure the maintenance crew puts extra salt on our Intrigued HQ walkways).

Enough chit chat, time to get to work and present today’s featured feathered friend.

Hit the jump to learn more about our “black robed” friend.

While flipping through the photo queue, thought this guy would be a perfect choice in light of the extra wardrobe we are currently sporting. For those not familiar with our sinister looking specimen, this is one of those alphabet soup birds that haunt my posting endeavors. Like the Pyrrhuloxia (link here), the Ptarmigan (link here) and the most frustrating Pauraque (link here), the Phainopepla can twist your typing fingers as much as your tongue.

Personally, I think the ABA should simply adopt my moniker for this menacing bird, the Evil Cardinal. Before the purists weigh in, I should confess that the Phainopepla is not in the same family as the other Cardinals (Cardinalidae), rather in a family by itself in the US labeled Ptiliogonatidae and since we are already popping aspirin from the species name, let’s just go with the Silky Flycatcher family. I get the feeling this specimen had rage in its eyes being falsely categorized with those other “cutesy” birds.

The Phainopepla is a mainstay on our trips through Vegas and has been featured here several times in the past (link here and here). It was not a big surprise that we came across these specimens during our trip through Arizona last January. Phainopepla is the Greek word for “shining robe” named after the male’s distinct gloss black feathering. Pair that with the tall punk-do and you have a quick ID in the field.

If they let you get close enough and at the right angle, you will be subjected to their mind controlling blood red eyes sure to manifest in your future nightmares. “Come closer my pretty…. Imperio … you shall not see that root of all evil upon your next trek through the dark woods.” (link here) I KNEW IT WAS NOT MY FAULT I BROKE MY ELBOW!!

Sorry, I couldn’t find any angles that didn’t look like it would rip your head off if it had thumbs. Being a huge fan of all things haunt, I happen to really like this particular bird and do have plans to add some of them as props to our annual haunted trail – with red light up eyes of course! For those less enthused by devilish looks of the male, the females are a bit more subdued in their grays and white piped wing feathers. You are not going to be able to avoid those bloody eyes as both sexes wear them proudly. Best combination for the squeamish – stick with the females in side light.

Not a lot left to bring you in the interesting facts side that hasn’t already been covered in the previous posts, but I did just learn two things off of Cornell’s website. The first was their ability to mimic other bird calls. I am accustomed to listening for their quick twill to locate them in the field (link here). The other tidbit was related to their diet. They are specially adapted to consuming Mistletoe fruit. A low nutrient food source that requires them to consume huge amounts of berries in the 1,100/day range. Maybe those eyes are just an indicator that tells them when they are full ha.

Will let you get back to your schedules for the day. Hope you enjoyed another look at one of the Halloween representatives from the avian world. Note, our legal department requires me to make it clear that Intrigued is not liable for any loss of sleep originating from this red-eyed feathered fiend. Now to get to work on plans for adding them to the Haunted Trail of Fear (link here).