This is Birdnode.

Against the muted tones of the desert,

Fena Peplas stand out boldly.

A slim, sleek bird with a spiky crest,

the name comes from the Greek for shining cloak.

It refers to the male's glistening,

inky black feathers, which are set off by piercing red eyes.

And if the Greek name isn't helping you picture it,

a common name might.

The Goth cardinal.

Females are gray, and both sexes

flaunt light-colored wing patches in flight.

Fena Peplas have an elaborate courtship ritual.

At twilight, a dozen or more joined to fly in a circle.

Females leave the flock to quickly consort

with various males on their territories.

The species has arrived at the unusual adaptation of nesting

in two different habitats and seasons.

From February to April, they nest as highly territorial pairs

in the arid sonora desert.

From May to July, they form sociable nesting colonies

in leafy oak and sycamore canyons to escape the summer heat.

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