Species Profile: Pyrrhuloxia - Cardinalis sinatus

Adult male

The Pyrrhuloxia

My favorite bird, a desert resident.

The Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinatus) is a bird found in the southwestern United States and in Mexico. It is part of the cardinal family (Cardinalidae) and it is a close relative of the common Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). It is also known as the Desert Cardinal. It is about 8 inches (20 cm) long.

Range map

The Desert Cardinal is an apt nickname, as it favors desert climates. These include desert scrub, mesquite forest, and other dry habitats.

Its diet consists of mainly seeds and insects. However, it also likes cactus fruit, a common thing in the desert climate it's found in. They may also come to feeders in desert climates for seeds.

Adult female

There are three subspecies (sinatus, fulvescens, and peninsulae). The former two are found in North America. The peninsulae subspecies is found in the species's southern range, in southeastern Mexico. Their behaviors are similar to that of the Northern Cardinal. Their flight is undulating and when they are alarmed, the males raise their large crests and sound an alarm call. Their sounds are also similar to the Northern Cardinal, with both genders eliciting a "chip" call. The male has a melodious "wa-chee" call that is repeated often during breeding season.
The only similar species is the Northern Cardinal. The female Northern Cardinal and the male Pyrrhuloxia are very similar, except for the yellow, roundish bill. The male is completely red.
Please note that these images are not mine, and I don't take credit for owning them.

Similar Birds 1: Greater Yellowlegs vs. Lesser Yellowlegs

Hey everyone, this is my first blog post. It is about the two strikingly similar bird species: The Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. These two birds are two commonly misidentified and confusing bird species. Both having a range across the U.S., they are hard to differentiate everywhere.

Greater Yellowlegs                                 Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca                                                    Tringa flavipes

These two species are very similar but they have some minor differences that can be pointed out with a careful eye. Firstly, they are different in size. As you would expect, the Greater Yellowlegs outsizes the Lesser Yellowlegs. While the Lesser is about 10 inches long, the Greater can reach sizes of up to 15 inches. However, it's not easy to tell size in the wild, so it's easier to tell based on other characteristics.

Another important characteristic is the bill. If you look closely at the bill. The Greater Yellowlegs has a longer bill in proportion to its head, while the Lesser Yellowlegs's bill is stouter and smaller. The Greater Yellowlegs also obtains a paler bill base during the winter. When it is wintertime, it is easy to tell the species apart based on this feature. However, some individuals do not possess this bill. But, if you see the pinkish or grayish bill base it's a Greater. The Greater Yellowlegs's bill is also slightly upturned and fat-tipped.

The song of each bird is also slightly different. The Greater Yellowlegs makes a song of three or four piercing notes, while the Lesser Yellowlegs's call is a few softer whistles. A great video of both birds calling can be found at the Internet Bird Collection: http://ibc.lynxeds.com/video/greater-yellowlegs-tringa-melanoleuca/adult-standing-water-lesser-yellowlegs-foreground.

Another good characteristic to tell the Greater Yellowlegs from the Lesser is in the legs. Although they are both the same color, the heels are larger and thicker on the Greater Yellowlegs. (Note: the knee-like structures are actually heels; the real knees are hidden under the feathers. That is why the legs bend backwards.) If you have a close-up picture, this is a good way to tell the birds apart.

The last way to tell the two yellowlegs species apart is the barring in the underparts. The Greater Yellowlegs has barring that is much more prominent and extends all the way to the flanks in breeding males. Lesser Yellowlegs don't have as much barring in the underparts. However, in the winter and in juvenile birds, the barring isn't that much different between birds. However, do look at the flanks for barring during all plumages.

Other Similar Species

Stilt Sandpiper (Calidris himantopus) - This bird is similar to the yellowlegs with the same-colored legs, and it is similar in shape. Although its summer plumage has some rufous on its face, the winter male can be very similar to both species. Being a Calidris sandpiper, it is slightly smaller than both birds. Its bill is also downcurved slightly. Some Stilt Sandpipers also have greenish legs. However, be careful and be sure to keep this species in mind as a possible bird. It, along with the two yellowlegs, has a large range across the United States.

Please note that the photos used on this page are not mine and I don't take credit for owning these photos.