He is not a cardinal--he is a Phainopepla. When he flies you will see a white patch on each wing. The females and young are gray with light-gray wing patches. Bird books list the Phainopepla as uncommon countrywide but in the lower Sonoran desert he is seen often. Phainopepla are semi-migratory, spending the winter in the desert. He nests and raises his young here in the desert but is a true snow bird so when the summer heat arrives in the valley he will leave for the high country. You won't find him on your feeder because his main diet consists of insects, small fruits and berries; one of his favorite is the mistletoe berry.
He builds his nest on a mesquite branch in or near a clump of mistletoe. His nest is made of fine materials held together with hair or spider web lined with soft down seed pods. He will take responsibility of raising the young all by himself if he loses his mate.
To view him, look for him high in a mesquite tree or ocotillo and listen for his soft, short, one-syllable whistle. He is shy, keeping his distance but often he will follow you, darting from tree to tree. If you imitate his call he will answer you. No surprise to me because all the critters answer!
(Copyright 2012)
