Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens)

This species is a specialist on the waxy berries of Mistletoe which this female appears to be feeding to a fledgling. Mistletoe berries are indigestible to most birds. They pass through the bird's digestive tract and stick to branches of host trees where they take root as a parasite. But the Phainopepla has a strong stomach acid which is capable of breaking down the waxy coating of these berries allowing it to digest the seeds. The male is a shiny blue-black bird, while the female seen here is a drab gray color. Both have deep red eyes evident in this photo. The name is pronounced FANE-oh-PEP-la and is said to be from a Greek word meaning "shining robe." Or you could use the name suggested by the famous early ornithologist Elliott Coues. He called it the "Shining Blue-black Silky Flysnapper."