For many birds, spring migration is a simple operation. Some go north, some go west, some just go up the mountain. But the migration of the Phainopepla is hard to figure out. It actually breeds in two distinct locations through the spring and summer. First, between February and April, in the Sonoran Desert of Mexico, then it moves to Arizona and California in May through July to breed. Which is not to say that the bird has been absent — eBird records sightings in California throughout this period. Needless to say, the bird is moving around, and you’ll be pleased to see one in the oak and sycamore canyons of California. We know Audubon’s supposed to be the experts on all things birds, but if you’ve got any insights into this bird’s migration, we’d love to hear them. If one thing is certain about this bird is that its undeniably beautiful. So cool -- it doesn't care that it confuses us. That's not the point. (photo by Lip Kee)