Cardinalis cardinalis magnirostris

(Bangs, 1903)

Vernacular names
English : Northern cardinal
French : Cardinal rouge

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Passeriformes
Family : Cardinalidae
Notes : 18 other subspecies known

Identification
Up to 23 cm in length, weight of 52 g. Unmistakable. Males have black mask around face and entirely red plumage with darker wings. Female is brown with light belly. Both sexes have conspicuous red crest on top of head and big orange bill. Subspecies quite large with large bill, male bright red (brighter than Florida subspecies), female with more white on belly.

Range and habitat
This species lives in most of eastern and southern USA, south to Mexico and nearby islands (Cozumel, Tres Marias) and north Guatemala. Subspecies found from southeast Texas to Louisiana (range still debated and could include southeast Oklahoma and most of east Texas). Lives in semi open areas with trees and bushes, also suburban parks, up to 4000 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is common to abundant in many parts of its range and is expending its ranges in many areas. Alarmingly declining in California.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Cardinals” page