Abstract
The Phainopepla, Phainopepla nitens, inhabits arid and semiarid areas in Mexico and the southwestern United States, where it associates closely with the Desert Mistletoe, Phoradendron californicum (Cowles 1936, 1972, Crouch 1943). This mistletoe parasitizes Sonoran desert wash plants such as Mesquite, Prosopis juliflora; Ironwood, Olneya tesota; Palo Verde, Cercidium floridum; and Catsclaw, Acacia greggi. The Phainopepla is a common winter and spring resident in these washes and is often seen feeding at the large fruiting clumps of mistletoe. The small (3-5 mm) berries of this mistletoe provide an abundant and succulent food source in this arid habitat. Besides P. nitens, a number of other birds feed upon these berries, including Gambel Quail, Lophortyx gambelii; Bluebirds, Sialis spp.; Mockingbirds, Mimus polyglottus; and House Finches, Carpodacus mexicanus (Cowles 1936, 1972). However, I have observed that none of these species are as closely associated with Desert Mistletoe or feed on it
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