The phainopepla is a unique bird found in the desert southwest of the United States and Mexico. With its silky black plumage and red eyes, the phainopepla stands out against the arid landscapes it calls home. But exactly where in the desert does this unusual bird live? The phainopepla has a very specific range and habitat preferences. Read on to learn all about where phainopeplas can be found.
Phainopepla Range
The phainopepla has a relatively limited range confined to the deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Here are some key details about their range:
Western United States
In the United States, phainopeplas are found across the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. Their range extends east from California into southern Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas.
Some specific areas where phainopeplas occur in the U.S. include:
– California: Found across southern California except for the immediate coast. Abundant in desert oases.
– Nevada: Occurs in southern Nevada, especially around Las Vegas and along the Colorado River.
– Utah: Common in southwestern Utah including Zion National Park.
– Arizona: Found throughout the southern half of Arizona.
– New Mexico: Distributed across southern New Mexico.
– Texas: Restricted to Big Bend region and Trans Pecos region in western Texas.
Mexico
Phainopeplas occur down through Baja California and mainland Mexico south to Guerrero. They are found across the Mexican Plateau region in the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. Their range overlaps significantly with the distribution of desert scrub habitat.
Preferred Habitat
Within their desert range, phainopeplas show preferences for certain habitat types. As described below, you’ll find them in certain vegetation communities:
Desert Scrub
Desert scrub habitat dominated by shrubs like creosote bush, bursage and catclaw acacia is prime phainopepla territory. This habitat type covers extensive areas of the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts. The small trees and shrubs provide excellent sites for nesting, roosting and foraging.
Desert Oases
Phainopeplas thrive in desert oases where palms and other taller trees are found amidst springs and seeps. These verdant islands in the desert provide cooler conditions, ample food and trees for nesting. Desert fan palm oases are a classic phainopepla habitat.
Riparian Woodlands
In stream courses and canyons cutting through the desert, phainopeplas frequent riparian woodlands. They inhabit areas with cottonwoods, willows and other deciduous trees. The birds use these trees for nesting and feed on insects attracted to the foliage.
Chaparral
In California, phainopeplas range into oak and chaparral habitats adjacent to the desert. The birds frequent scrubby areas with oak, manzanita and ceanothus shrubs. The chaparral provides abundant berries and insects.
Avoiding High Elevations
An important aspect of phainopepla habitat is the avoidance of high elevations and mountain ranges. The birds are restricted to lowlands and valleys below about 5,000 feet throughout their desert range. They are not found in the sagebrush steppe, coniferous forests or alpine areas of the region.
Edge of Range Sightings
While mostly restricted to the desert southwest, vagrants are occasionally sighted well outside the typical phainopepla range:
Pacific Northwest
Rarely, individual phainopeplas make it as far north as Washington and southern British Columbia. These well outside their range but follow corridors through eastern Oregon.
Midwest
Extralimital records exist for Midwestern states like Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Birds sometimes stray along riparian corridors extending east from the desert.
Southeast
A few exceptional records come from the Southeast including Louisiana, Arkansas, and Florida. These are far east of their expected range.
But these are rare cases and the core range and habitat remains in the desert southwest. Suitable habitat, food sources and nest sites are not found consistently outside of this arid region.
Seasonal Movements
Phainopeplas exhibit seasonal movements in response to food availability:
Winter
Some southern populations are permanent residents year-round. But further north, phainopeplas migrate south in winter to areas with adequate food. Northern birds winter in California, Arizona and Mexico.
Summer
In summer, birds disperse widely into all suitable nesting habitats across the desert southwest. This includes marginal areas that cannot support them year-round.
Fall Migration
After breeding, phainopeplas migrate back south in fall to warmer wintering areas with reliable food sources. These seasonal movements lead to fluctuations in local abundance.
Irruptions
In some years, food shortages (like droughts reducing mistletoe berries) cause irruptions of phainopeplas well outside their normal range. This explains rare vagrant sightings.
Population and Conservation
Phainopepla populations appear generally stable across their range:
Global Population
The global population is estimated at 2.5 million individuals based on available habitat. Phainopeplas remain common within suitable desert habitat.
US Population
In the US, Partners in Flight estimate the phainopepla population at 1.5 million. Breeding Bird Survey data suggests populations increased in some regions from 1966-2015.
Threats
There are no major threats to phainopeplas currently. Their habitat remains intact across much of their range. As desert specialists, the birds are not significantly impacted by urbanization and development.
Conservation Status
Phainopeplas are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. They remain common and widespread in suitable desert habitat across their range. No special conservation actions are urgently needed.
Where to See Phainopeplas
Here are some top places to search for phainopeplas if you want to see them in their desert habitat:
California
– Joshua Tree National Park
– Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
– Mojave National Preserve
– Death Valley National Park
Arizona
– Sonoran Desert near Phoenix and Tucson
– Saguaro National Park
– Desert oases near Yuma along the Colorado River
Nevada
– Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
– Corn Creek near Las Vegas
Utah
– Snow Canyon State Park
– Red Cliffs Desert Reserve
– Lytle Ranch Preserve
New Mexico
– Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
– Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge
Conclusion
In summary, the phainopepla is a desert specialist found across the arid southwest United States and Mexico. They inhabit desert scrub, oases, chaparral and riparian areas, generally below 5,000 feet elevation. While populations remain healthy, their range is naturally limited to suitable habitat in this dry region. With a little targeted searching in the desert, you stand a good chance of coming across this striking black and red bird. Keep an eye on mistletoe as this is a favorite phainopepla food source.