Pyrrhuloxia

22 cm (9") Fairly common. Southwestern United States. Mesquite, thorny brush, deserts, ranchlands.

Male: resembles female Northern Cardinal. However, it is gray above except for its red crest, has a sharply curved orange-yellow bill (Cardinals have red bills) with red on the face, throat and breast.

Female: more grayish overall than similar female Northern Cardinal. Also it has a dull yellow, sharply curved bill. Female Northern Cardinal is browner with a red bill.

Song: very similar to Northern Cardinal but shorter and thinner, sharp "chink" call.

Videos

Images

Credit: Andy Morffew

Credit: J. N. Stuart

Credit: Pat Gaines

Credit: Cletus Lee

Credit: Dmitry Mozzherin

Credit: Allen Sheffield

Credit: Allen Sheffield

Distribution Maps

Pyrrhuloxia winter distribution map

Pyrrhuloxia distribution map