Cardinal (bird)


Cardinals, in the family Cardinalidae, are passerine birds found in North and South America. They are also known as cardinal-grosbeaks and cardinal-buntings.
Historically, the South American cardinals in the genus Paroaria have been placed in the tanager family Thraupidae. However, DNA analysis of the genera Piranga, Chlorothraupis, and Habia showed their closer relationship to the cardinal family. They have been reassigned to that family by the American Ornithological Society.

Species list

"Masked" clade:
in Tucson, Arizona
"Blue" clade:
 Ant tanager clade:
 "Chat" clade:
 "Pheucticus" clade:
They are robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. The family's smallest member is the 12-cm, 11.5-g orange-breasted bunting. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinctive appearances. The northern cardinal type species was named by colonists for the male's red crest, reminiscent of a Catholic cardinal's biretta.
The "North American buntings" are known as such to distinguish them from buntings of the Old World family Emberizidae. The name "cardinal-grosbeak" can also apply to the cardinalid family as a whole.
Most species are rated by the IUCN as being of least concern, though some are near threatened.