Family

Phainopepla

The silky-flycatchers are a small family of passerine birds. The range of one species, the Phainopepla, extends into the southwestern USA.

They are related to waxwings, and like that group have a soft silky plumage, usually grey or pale yellow in colour.

These birds eat fruit or insects, and the Phainopepla is particularly dependent on Desert Mistletoe, Phoradendron californicum.