Diet
What do phainopeplas eat?
Desert mistletoe berries, plus insects caught on the wing.
Silky-flycatchers (Ptiliogonatidae)PhainopeplaPhainopepla nitens
Spring and summer diet
- Flying insects
Fall and winter diet
- Mistletoe berries
Best feeder foods
- None — plant desert mistletoe habitat
Perches atop mesquites in the desert Southwest; a birdbath is the best way to draw one in.
Where phainopeplas need winter food
Regions where phainopeplas are present in the cold months:
Frequently asked
What do phainopeplas eat?
Desert mistletoe berries, plus insects caught on the wing.
What is the best food to feed phainopeplas?
None — plant desert mistletoe habitat.
What do phainopeplas eat in winter?
Mistletoe berries.
Sources
- Phainopepla — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Phainopepla life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Phainopepla — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.