Female Phainopepla

Adult Male Phainopepla

This is a nice first year male Phainopepla which has taken up a small territory out on Shoshone Wetlands. He's guarding his newly acquired territory against Western Bluebirds, American Robins, Mockingbirds, and Cedar Waxwings.It's all about the mistletoe berries. For the Phainopepla it's about prime  territory. For the others, it's just about a good winter food source.