Bird’s ID – Red-crested Cardinal

Red-crested Cardinal

The Red-crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata) is a songbird with a prominent red head and crest. This species belongs in the family of the tanagers (Thraupidae). Not withstanding its similar name, this bird is not closely related to the true cardinal family (Cardinalidae).

It is found in northern Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul and the Pantanal. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and heavily degraded former forest. Among other regions, it is found in southern part of the Pantanal.

It has also been introduced to Hawaii and Puerto Rico. In Brazil, it has been introduced to various places outside its historical range, as in the Tietê Ecological Park in São Paulo, alongside its very similar-looking close relative, the red-cowled cardinal (P. dominicana).

The yellow-billed cardinal (P. capitata) could be easily confused with the red-crested cardinal; both the red-cowled and yellow-billed have a very short crest that is not visible except in excited birds, and in the case of the latter, a black throat, darker upper parts and a bright yellow bill. Note: One Red-crested Cardinal, landed on my backyard a few years ago, the bird was in good health but very far away from where they usually reside. I called Audubon Society to report it but they just told me, most likely was brought by someone as a pet and has escaped. That was it. Then asked me if I want to make a donation… I believe I answered: Donation for what? before ending the conversation.

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Tags: Bird's ID, birding, birds, Interesting information, photography, photos of birds, Red-crested Cardinal

18 thoughts on “Bird’s ID – Red-crested Cardinal”

DailyMusings on January 30, 2019 at 7:22 am said:

what a beauty!

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- H.J. for avian101 on January 30, 2019 at 4:51 pm said:
  
  Thank you! 🙂
  
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kathydoremus on January 30, 2019 at 7:38 am said:

Beautiful bird!

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- H.J. for avian101 on January 30, 2019 at 4:52 pm said:
  
  Thank you Kathy. 🙂
  
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neihtn2012 on January 30, 2019 at 8:07 am said:

Spectacular bird!

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- H.J. for avian101 on January 30, 2019 at 4:56 pm said:
  
  Thank you N… It’s a real looker. 🙂
  
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susanpoozan on January 30, 2019 at 2:02 pm said:

What a stunning bird, well captured in your pictures.

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- H.J. for avian101 on January 30, 2019 at 5:00 pm said:
  
  Thank you Susan. He really is! 🙂
  
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sv-anui.com on January 30, 2019 at 3:47 pm said:

Wow, what a stunning species!

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- H.J. for avian101 on January 30, 2019 at 5:06 pm said:
  
  Thanks a lot, Chris. 🙂
  
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urzre on January 30, 2019 at 5:20 pm said:

Curious one composing delicate images!

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- H.J. for avian101 on January 30, 2019 at 7:26 pm said:
  
  Thanks Urzre! 🙂
  
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tanjabrittonwriter on January 30, 2019 at 11:21 pm said:

How lucky that you got to see this bird at home. H.J. Escaped or not, what a surprise to look outside and find a tropical bird in your yard. Were you already familiar with the species then, or did you have to look it up?

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- H.J. for avian101 on January 31, 2019 at 4:49 pm said:
  
  I had seen it and photographed in South America before. That’s why I knew this bird didn’t belong in Georgia and called Audubon Soc. Thanks Tanja. 🙂
  
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Mags on February 1, 2019 at 9:39 am said:

What a beautiful bird. I have never seen one like it.

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- H.J. for avian101 on February 1, 2019 at 4:08 pm said:
  
  Thank you Mags! 🙂
  
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bayphotosbydonna on February 2, 2019 at 10:03 pm said:

He is absolutely beautiful, wish we had them here in the U.S. Wouldn’t he look pretty perched on your deck railing, HJ?!! 🙂

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- H.J. for avian101 on February 2, 2019 at 10:49 pm said:
  
  He stayed for two days only. I wanted him to stay with my other cardinals. Thank you Donna. 🙂
  
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