A wonderful bird, red-crested cardinal
This bird sticks out all year long thanks to his distinctive bright red crest that contrasts well with a suit of white and grey.
The red-crested cardinal (Paroaria coronata) is a species of songbird that belongs to the tanager family (Thraupidae).
They are a medium-sized bird that may be easily identified by their red head, red bib, and short red crest, which they can raise when they are aroused.
The back, wings, and tail are all grey, while the belly, breasts, and undertail are all white.
Although juveniles resemble adults, their features tend to be duller and more orange-brown in colour.
The red-crested cardinal is native to South America and can be found there as well as in Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, northern Argentina, and southern Brazil.
In addition to its natural region in Brazil, the species has also been imported to Hawaii and Puerto Rico, therefore it’s possible to find it there.
Red-crested cardinals prefer environments with dry shrubs in the tropics and subtropics, yet they can also be found in secondary forests that have suffered severe degradation.
These birds favour eating fruit, insects, crushed seeds, and plant matter.
The red-crested cardinal uses plant material to construct a cup-shaped nest into shrubs and trees.
The female then lays two to four mottled, olive-colored, greyish, and brownish streaked white eggs.
She then lays the eggs, which are subsequently incubated for 10 to 12 days until they hatch and are then fed by both parents. The chicks fly two to three weeks later.
Although the species is not now in danger, habitat deterioration and unreported commercial hunting affect it.
Numerous birds are taken into custody and sold into the caged bird trade each year.
