Tag: american bird conservancy

When you hear the word “cardinal,” you probably think of one of the most widely recognized and beloved birds in the eastern U.S. – the Northern Cardinal(Cardinalis cardinalis). This beautiful red bird is the official state bird for seven states, not to mention the namesake of many sports teams! But did you know there are other cardinals in the Americas? Some are in the same family as the Northern Cardinal and others are cardinals by name only.

The Pyrrhuloxia(Cardinalis sinuatus), for example, graces deserts in … Continue

The Black-Headed Grosbeak is a chunky, distinctive songbird found throughout western North America. The male’s black head and contrasting black and white wings set off a bright cinnamon nape, back, and underside. The center of his belly shades to lemon yellow, then becomes white on the lower belly and undertail. The female Black-Headed Grosbeak lacks the male’s dark head and is patterned in quieter shades of buff and brown, with fine striping along her flanks. Both sexes have yellow wing linings that are most conspicuous in flight, and the … Continue

The beautiful Yellow Cardinal is the only member of its genus, Gubernatrix (governess), a name based on the Latin word gubernare, which means to command or direct. This title is a nod to the Yellow Cardinal’s striking crest, which reminded taxonomists of the feathered and plumed hats worn by military commanders of that day.

Both sexes of Yellow Cardinal have a pointed black crest and black throat patch. The male is the more vivid of the pair, bright yellow below and streaky yellow-olive above, with a yellow eyebrow and … Continue