phainopepla

[fey-ahy-noh-pep-luh, fey-uh-]

noun

1. a crested passerine bird, Phainopepla nitens, of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.

Word History and Origins

Origin of phainopepla¹

< New Latin, equivalent to Greek phaín ( ein ) to give light, shine + -o- -o- + New Latin -pepla, feminine derivative of Greek péplos peplos; -a ²

Example Sentences

While in the area, I like to hike the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail at Anza Borrego Desert State Park because of the flowing creek and the possibility of seeing the majestic Peninsular bighorn sheep and birds such as verdin, phainopepla and roadrunners.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The phainopepla migrates from southern California to the desert southwest to breed in the spring before flying to California coastal woodlands to breed again in summer.

Read more on Scientific American

Dchūrr, dchūrr; when flying, a shrill huit like call-note of Phainopepla.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

A phainopepla's nest right on my own doorsill!

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Growing restless, I moved the bushes a little—they were so stiff they made a very good chair-back if one got into the right position—when suddenly, looking up I saw my phainopepla friend vault into the air from a bush behind me, where, apparently, he had been sitting taking notes of his own!

Read more on Project Gutenberg