a member of the cardinal family, the pyrrhuloxia is native to the southwestern u.s and northern mexico. their beak, large for a cardinal, is used to crack hard-shelled seeds, which along with insects and cactus fruit make up their diet.
(x)
Tag: cardinal
the pyrrhuloxia or desert cardinal is closely related to the familiar northern cardinal, but inhabits drier desert-like habitat. they are native to parts of the southwestern united states and mexico. the birds pictured may be foraging for cactus fruit, an unusual part of the bird’s diet.
(x)
the rose-breasted grosbeak is a member of the cardinal family found in north america (with a wintering range in central & south america).
(x)
black-faced grosbeaks are frequently mistaken for orioles due to their orange, black, and white coloration & fondness for fruit, but they are actually a member of the cardinal family. the black-faced grosbeak has a range scattered throughout north america.
(x)
today’s bird is: this northern cardinal! [thank you to @lysa44 for your submission!]
evening grosbeaks, which share a family with birds such as cardinals and rose-breasted grosbeaks, are native to the northern united states & canada, as well as some populations farther south. in winter, the northern populations migrate to warmer areas. both sexes of grosbeaks have yellow on the body, but females’ is paler, and they are overall more brown.
(x)
vermilion cardinals are closely related to the more common northern cardinal but with noticeably brighter plumage and a stiffer, longer crest. these songbirds are native to columbia and venezuela.
(x)
indigo buntings are a small member of the cardinal family found in north america (and south america during the winter). in fall and winter, the male and female buntings look the same, but in spring males molt into striking blue plumage.
(x)
a female vermilion cardinal, a medium-sized songbird, perched atop a cactus. these cardinals are native to colombia and venezuela.
(x)
today's bird 