NAME: Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuata) also called desert cardinal, gray cardinal, gray grosbeak. Kaufman Guide says odd name from Latin or Greek to describe shape of bill.
FAMILY: Grosbeaks. (Emberizidine) Finch-like birds with strong bills for seed cracking.
SIZE: L=8.5" WS=12"
LOCATION: Found only near the Mexican border in the states of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Widespread throughout Mexico.
HABITAT: Brush and deserts.
FEEDING HABITS: In winter eats cactus fruits, mesquite beans, seeds. During summer becomes an insect eater.
SONG: Clear whistled notes much like Northern Cardinal. Seven clear "skis" notes followed by 3 or 4 "scores".
NOTES: The bill of the Pyrrhuloxia looks much like that of a parrot, with a strong down-curved upper mandible.
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The male has a bright red chest and face. Overall the body color is a pale gray. The bill is a good field mark. Yellow (or Gray) sharply down-turned like a parrot. The crest is lightly red and quite 'pointy'. |
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The female is a uniform buff-gray, with a slightly paler underside. Only red is a tinge on the crest, and tail. The striking yellow bill is different in shape and color from the female Northern Cardinal.
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| Males often perch on the highest branches to sing and declare their territory. The song is much more like the Northern Cardinal but more musical, with more and clearer notes. |
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The bill color changes to a dull gray during the summer months after mating. These pictures were taken in May. The male (above)still has a bright yellow bill while this female's bill has already turn gray. She looks a little 'ratty' and is probably molting. |
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