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| − | ;Cardinalis sinuatus | + | ;[[: Category:Cardinalis|Cardinalis]] sinuatus |
[[Image:Pyrrhuloxia.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Bobsofpa]] | [[Image:Pyrrhuloxia.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Bobsofpa]] | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | The | + | The male is 7-1/2 to 8-1/2 inches long and is grey overall, with red on the face, crest, wings, tail and underparts. The female shows little or no red; the bill is a dull yellow.The Pyrrhuloxia's name comes from Greek terms describing its coloration (πυρρος = pyrrhos = reddish or orange) and the shape of its bill (λοξος = loxos = oblique, hence crossbill). Similar to the female and juvenile Northern Cardinal, the Pyrrhuloxia's thick, strongly curved, parrot-like orange-yellow bill helps identify it. |
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | It is primarily a resident of Mexico, but can be found in the southern parts of the U.S. states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. | + | It is primarily a resident of [[Mexico]], but can be found in the southern parts of the U.S. states of [[Arizona]], [[New Mexico]], and [[Texas]]. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | + | The Pyrrhuloxia is in the same genus as the [[Northern Cardinal]] and the [[Vermilion Cardinal]]. Three subspecies are recognized, ''fulvescens'', ''sinuatus'', and ''peninsulae''. | |
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
This bird is fairly common in thorny brush and mesquite thickets of dry streambeds, desert, woodland edges and ranchlands. | This bird is fairly common in thorny brush and mesquite thickets of dry streambeds, desert, woodland edges and ranchlands. | ||
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| − | [[Image:Pyrrhuloxia_Female.jpg |left|Photo by Larry D Smith | + | [[Image:Pyrrhuloxia_Female.jpg|thumb|350px|left|Photo of female by Larry D Smith ]] |
The song is a liquid whistle, thinner and shorter than the song of the Northern Cardinal. The call is a sharp "chink". | The song is a liquid whistle, thinner and shorter than the song of the Northern Cardinal. The call is a sharp "chink". | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| − | + | {{GSearch|Cardinalis+sinuatus}} | |
| − | [[Category: | + | |
| + | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Cardinalis]] | ||
Revision as of 00:13, 13 February 2008
- Cardinalis sinuatus
Identification
The male is 7-1/2 to 8-1/2 inches long and is grey overall, with red on the face, crest, wings, tail and underparts. The female shows little or no red; the bill is a dull yellow.The Pyrrhuloxia's name comes from Greek terms describing its coloration (πυρρος = pyrrhos = reddish or orange) and the shape of its bill (λοξος = loxos = oblique, hence crossbill). Similar to the female and juvenile Northern Cardinal, the Pyrrhuloxia's thick, strongly curved, parrot-like orange-yellow bill helps identify it.
Distribution
It is primarily a resident of Mexico, but can be found in the southern parts of the U.S. states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Taxonomy
The Pyrrhuloxia is in the same genus as the Northern Cardinal and the Vermilion Cardinal. Three subspecies are recognized, fulvescens, sinuatus, and peninsulae.
Habitat
This bird is fairly common in thorny brush and mesquite thickets of dry streambeds, desert, woodland edges and ranchlands.
Behaviour
The song is a liquid whistle, thinner and shorter than the song of the Northern Cardinal. The call is a sharp "chink".
In a loosely built cup of grass, twigs, and bark strips concealed in dense, thorny bush, 3 or 4 white eggs, lightly speckled with brown, are laid. These birds feed on seeds and insects and benefit cotton fields by destroying great numbers of cotton worms and weevils. When approached, a pair will fly up to a high watch post, erect their crests, and sound a loud alarm.
