Mr. Phainopepla, a common bird here in the southwest, is shown here trying to entice his hopeful Mrs. Phainopepla with a tasty treat of regurgitated mistletoe berries. It was evidently to her liking as she hung around for some time waiting for more. One of our birders on today's Bird Walk, Mike Fibiger-Crossman from British Columbia, took this photo. It’s the second time I’ve witnessed this feeding behavior, and my guess is that it’s part of their courting ritual, and they will soon be setting up house among the mistletoe in this mesquite tree. Phainopeplas can currently be seen pairing up in at least three different mesquite trees here in Buckskin Mountain State Park.
Ahhh- the song "Love is in The Air" popped into my head as I read this blog!
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