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.