The Red-Crested Cardinal, with its vibrant plumage and striking appearance, stands out as a true gem in the avian world. Let’s embark on a journey to unveil the beauty of this magnificent bird, accompanied by captivating photos and interesting facts.
The red-crested cardinal is a medium-sized bird that looks a lot like the well-known Northern Cardinal. However, this songbird is related to tanagers.
It is native to parts of South and Central America, but was introduced to and is also found in Puerto Rico and Hawaii.
This article provides more information, fun facts, and beautiful photos of this cardinal look-alike.
Red-Crested Cardinal
Overview
Scientific name: Paroaria coronataLength: 7.1 to 7.9 inchesWingspan: 7.9 to 8.7 inchesWeight: 1.1 to 1.2 ounces
Male and female red-crested cardinals are hard to tell apart because they have similar plumage.
Despite their striking resemblance to northern cardinals, they belong to the family of Thraupidae with tanagers.
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Male & Female
Males and females alike present with a noticeable red crest and a pale silver bill. They have dark gray plumage on their backs. Their bellies are white.
The head and upper breast are bright red like the coloring of their crests. Their legs are dark in color.
Juveniles lack red feathers and have brown heads, crests, and breasts instead. Their bills are dark colored.
Behavior
Red-crested cardinals are diurnal birds that live in pairs or small family groups. In non-breeding seasons they will form larger flocks.
During the breeding season, males can become aggressive over their territories, chasing off intruders.
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Males and females raise or lower their crests to communicate to potential mates, indicate an alarm, or make themselves look bigger to intruders.
They have an undulating flight path, where they flap their wings in short bursts as they rise, and then glide in a freefall with folded wings as they descend.
The red-crested cardinal has a melodious song with varied but repetitive phrases of whistles and chirps.
Range
This bird is native to Uruguay, Paraguay, southern Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. It is sometimes referred to as the Argentine cardinal or Brazilian cardinal.
The red-crested cardinal was introduced to Puerto Rico and Hawaii and can now be found there as well.
Diet
The red-crested cardinal has an omnivorous diet. It eats insects, fruits, and seeds, typically hopping and foraging on the ground.
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