So how in the heck do you pronounce the name of this red-eyed beauty? fey i no pep la
Notice the red eye.
The phainopepla or northern phainopepla is the most northerly representative of the mainly tropical Central American family Ptiliogonatidae, the silky flycatchers. Its name is from the Greek phain pepla meaning “shining robe” in reference to the male’s plumage.
INTERESTING FACTS
The Phainopepla is particularly notable for its pattern of breeding twice each year, in two different habitats.
An individual eats at least 1,100 mistletoe berries per day, when they are available.
When pursued by predators or handled by humans, it mimics the calls of other birds; imitations of at least 13 species have been recorded.
The other day I was trying to take a photograph of this bird when an elderly man stopped and asked me “what kind of bird is that”. I told him it was a fey i no pep la and he said: “a what”.
It made me smile! Of course, I had to say to myself – fey i no pep la before I told him!
Enjoy the outdoors, enjoy nature, enjoy birding, and enjoy learning how to pronounce new words!
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