Southwest Trekking -> Services -> Birding
These strange and beautiful birds are exclusive to the Southwest
United States and Mexico the Phainopepla is an arid land specialist
almost entirely dependent on desert mistletoe plants for food and
nesting sites. The mistletoe is an oddity of the plant world in
that it is a parasite. Misletoes tap into the vascular system of
tree branches taking water and nutrients from the host tree an therefore
do not need to photosynthesize their own food. The berries of the
mistletoe and small insects are the main food source of the Phainopepla
and also supply a dense cover for nesting sites. This mutualistic
relationship benefits both Phainopepla and desert mistletoe. The
Phainopepla gets a steady supply of food and shelter and the mistletoe
gets dispersed to new host trees through the Phainopepla's droppings.
The mistletoe seeds contained within the berries survive the digestive
tract of the Phainopepla and germinate when deposited on branches
of Mesquite and other desert scrubland trees.
Vermilion Flycatcher
Arizona offers the best chance in the United States for seeing
this intense, vibrantly colored flycatcher. Find Vermilion Flycatchers
hovering over water bodies hunting for flying insects. The brightly
colored male will feed the drabber colored female as she incubates
eggs while nested deep in a forking tree branch often along riparian
areas.
Vermilion Flycatcher |
