Pyrrhuloxia

Pyrrhuloxia
Male in Tucson, Arizona, USA
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Cardinalidae
Genus:	Cardinalis
Species:	C. sinuatus
Binomial name
Cardinalis sinuatus Bonaparte, 1838

The Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) is a medium-sized North American bird in the same genus as the Northern Cardinal and the Vermilion Cardinal, which is a South American species.

Its name comes from Greek terms describing its coloration (πυρρος = pyrrhos = reddish or orange) and the shape of its bill (λοξος = loxos = oblique, hence crossbill).

Description and identification

Female

The most obvious differences between the male Pyrrhuloxia and the Northern Cardinal are the former's largely gray coloring with a red breast, a red rather than black mask, and a yellow parrot-like bill. The females of the two species resemble each other much more closely, but the shapes of their bills are diagnostic. The songs of the two species are identical, though the Pyrrhuloxia's is not quite as loud.

Song

In breeding season, song is used to establish and defend terretories.The song is a sharp,clear,wha-cheer,wha-cheer.Females also sing,but they use softer and duller notes. A short cheep or chip is a regular contact call given by both sexes while foraging.

Range

The Pyrrhuloxia is a year round resident of destert scrub, mesquite thickets, and woodland edges in Mexico and the southern parts of the U.S. states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

• 
  Male Pyrrhuloxia in Tucson, Arizona
• 
  Male Pyrrhuloxia
• 
  Feeding male Pyrrhuloxia

References

• Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

External links

• Pyrrhuloxia videos on the Internet Bird Collection
• Pyrrhuloxia profile at Avibase
• Stamps (for Mexico) with RangeMap
• Pyrrhuloxia photo gallery VIREO