Fun Facts!

Once the young birds sprout their red plumage, the males will begin to peck at them and attack them, telling them when it’s time to leave the nest.

In contrast to the North American cardinal, the red-crested cardinals flock together, often in groups of 20 or more.

A species of the tanager family, the red-crested cardinal is a kissin’ cousin of our backyard North American cardinal. This cardinal has a white-feathered breast with dark gray or black wing and tail feathers with thin white edges, a red crest on its head and medium tan bill. The juveniles characteristically have a brown crest and black bill. Adults are about 7 inches long.

HABITAT

Found in subtropical or tropical dry shrublands and degraded former forest lands in the South American countries of Bolivia, Southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Northern Argentina. It has been introduced in Hawaii and Puerto Rico to encourage breeding of the species.
 

DIET IN THE WILD

It is an omnivore that eats fruits, seeds, insects and some plant matter. Insects are eaten year around when available.

BEHAVIOR

Adults hang out in pairs or small groups of 3-5 birds. They are somewhat territorial. The cardinal family unit is close. If a male loses sight of his female, he utters a guttural sound to locate her. The male is the nest-builder but the female has to approve the site. Young chicks are constantly under the attention of and fed by both parents. Juveniles, like the American cardinal young, often wait for their parents to feed them. The parents respond with morsels, even when the juvenile is bigger than mom.

STATUS IN THE WILD / CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Not listed as threatened, generally listed as abundant. There are no conservation efforts. Red-crested cardinal numbers have expanded well in Hawaii.

LIFE SPAN

Its lifespan in the wild is unknown, but estimated at up to 2 years. In captivity, they may live for as many as 10 years.