English            -              Red-crested Cardinal

Portuguese     -              Cardeal

Latin                -               Paroaria coronata

First of all, this wee bird is not to be confused with the Red-cowled Cardinal. (blog N0 56) Both birds are very similar in appearance but the Red-crested Cardinal has, as its name suggests, a crest on top of his head.

I photographed the Red-crested Cardinal on a few occasions when we went to the Pantanal in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Photo No 1 was taken on a grass verge close to our pousada, Passo do Lontra as I stopped to take photos of something else and spotted the Red-crested Cardinal looking for some seeds to eat. Photo No 2 was taken on the side of the road on BR 262, near the town of Miranda, Mato gross do Sul. I had stopped the car to take photos of a 7 banded Amarillo that had crossed the road in front of us and the Red-crested Cardinal must have felt a bit left out and flew in to get some of the action.

* The Red-crested Cardinal is also known as the Brazilian Cardinal.

* Even though it is called a Cardinal, this bird is not closely related to the true cardinal family.

* The adult Red-crested Cardinal is 18cm in length and weighs up to 44 grams.

* Is found in E Bolivia, S & SE Brazil  W & C Paraguay, N Argentina and Uruguay. Introduced to the Hawaiian Islands. 

* They live in semi-open areas with shrubs and trees, such as parks, lawns, tropical shrub land and degraded forests.

* Red-crested Cardinals are omnivores and will eat fruit, seeds and insects.

* Their Song is a sweet, melodious and slowly delivered, often a repetitive series of alternating notes.

* The female can lay two to five eggs. Incubated for 12-13 days. Nestlings will fledge after 2-3 weeks. 

* Because the Red-crested Cardinal appears to have a stable population throughout its range, they are classified as a species ”of least concern” on the IUCN red list. The greatest threat to the Red-crested Cardinal at the moment is the capture and illegal trade as a cage bird. Because of its attractive appearance and song, makes it a sort after pet.