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!

South Padre Island Sunset January 2025

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.

Phainopepla found at Saguaro National National Park, AZ in January 2024

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.

Phainopepla found at Saguaro National National Park, AZ in January 2024

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.

Phainopepla found at Aqua Caliente Park, Tucson, AZ in January 2024

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.

Phainopepla found at Aqua Caliente Park, Tucson, AZ in January 2024

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!!

Phainopepla found at Aqua Caliente Park, Tucson, AZ in January 2024

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.

Phainopepla found at Silly Mountain, Apache Junction, AZ in January 2024

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).

39 thoughts on “Imperio”

  3. Will do my best with Maintenance about the extra salt, but they told me they are busy repairing copiers in the Legal Dept. Does today’s bird’s (not even going to try to spell it) head rotate 360 degrees?

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    1. Dammit, I told the legal team to stop xeroxing their butts – they are officially on double secret probation. I can guarantee you if that Piano (close enough) had done the Linda Blair I’d have dropped The Beast and high-tailed it out of there.

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    1. Well, that warm, calm scene has been officially replaced by ~30mph winds, cold temps and rain – total suckage, but at least not the Midwest tundra suckage level. I blame my brother Ron who is coming down to meet us tomorrow for causing this weather turn. Maybe this Phaino can find a Cardinal and have a pants off, featherdo-off. Thanks for dropping in Tim, this is the first day of rest from birding we have had since making our way down here. Will be hitting it again hard starting tomorrow when Ron shows up.

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      1. When Laurie’s sisters come down from Seattle, foul weather is sure to accompany them. Sounds like a sorry sack of Siberian-like super-suchage was dropped on you.

        The temps have gone from the high 50s last week to the 30s this week. I took Jake for grooming yesterday and forgot to tell them not to shave his peeshooter. We just got in from a frigid noontime walk, and he got his shaved peeshooter stuck on a frosted fire hydrant. He squatted to pee on things after that. Poor Jake.

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        1. 30’s yikes, them be Midwestern tundra temps. Our boys feel sorry for Jake, nobody wants a frigid peeshooter…or have to go to the groomers for that matter. You still running in those conditions?..I am still stuck in this #@$!#$%@#^@ boot.

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          1. Jake needs to visit the groomers every three months or so. We are not running in the cols. He did not walk last night because the wind was biting cold. One of our clients was in this morning and said all the construction companies working on projects sent their workers home early yesterday because the wind was so cold. It was 15 this morning. I expect to see single digit morning temps before the cold unsnaps.

            You can go wading in the water and do you own version of #@$!#$% Das Boot!

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            1. You are having IL weather over there. Back home got hammered, so I can’t complain too much, but birding SPI and Brownsville in a coat and a stocking cap is not what I come down here for. Going to be nice for a few days now, then dip back down for my birthday ugh. Fortunately, the rain has finally passed through. Linda won’t let me go near the water and threatens to tell my surgeon if I don’t get off of it – party pooper!

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            2. Wives. You can hardly live with them at times, but then again, you can’t live without them.

              It’s still cold up here. It’s supposed to warm up on Friday, but then the temps are supposed to really drop in that next week.

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            3. I find in the rare situations of “hard” times it usually turns out to really be my fault as she is pretty much a saint (shhhh, don’t tell her that though). We hit a warm spell, then my brother came down to meet us down here and brought a cold spell down with him. He leaves tomorrow and sure enough..warms up for the weekend. I think our temps are suppose to drop that following week as well. Might get to see the SpaceX launch tomorrow if it doesn’t get delayed.

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            4. We men are simpletons and clods compared to women. We are usually wrong. It was 8º this morning and is forecast to get much colder before it warms up again.

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    1. A bird you have probably seen out there in the desert John! Be careful and don’t let it hypnotize you with those eyes – next thing you know you’ll be hauling trunk loads of berries out there to them ha. Our sunny days have disappeared here on the Gulf and replaced by cold, wet and windy conditions – fortunately, not nearly as bad as what is hitting back home. Take care John and hope the new year is treating you well.

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        1. Wind has been wicked here on SPI for the last several days, but finally got a break today and could remove a layer of clothing – the sun even came out for a change! Supposed to be nice now for a couple of days before the rain comes back in – will have to power bird between the drops ha. Cali looks bad – they can learn a thing or two from Vegas on how they manage rain water.

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    1. Glad you liked this silky flycatcher (that really isn’t a flycatcher ha). A bit unnerving in the right light, but a cool bird to photograph. Appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to join in the conversation!

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  8. Great shots of the Phaino, especially the red eye! I bet that flash of white from their fore-wings is really striking against all that black. Haven’t seen one of these yet, it’s on my list. Bundle up, and happy hunting!

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    1. Thank you Sam. You are absolutely correct, when they take flight it is quite startling – much like when a Willet launches and you don’t expect that bright white buried under those feathers. Keep an eye out for the Phaino – you will have to travel a bit west, but if you make it out to Vegas you will have no problem locating them. Birding has been wonderful so far down here, but I wish someone would have kept the fire going in the furnace, these temps are closer to IL numbers so far.

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    1. Are you sure Tanja, maybe you have fallen under there sinister hypnotic stare. Just kidding, they probably are that “misunderstood” resident of that unkept house at the end of the street..oops, there I go again hehehe. Appreciate you dropping Tanja, hope you are staying warm out there.

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    1. I am jealous you have such convenient access to these stunning birds – unfortunately, we have to load up the RV and trek at least a couple of days to get into their region. Take care Cindy and appreciate the drop in.

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