Yellow-billed Cardinal

The Yellow-billed Cardinal, Paroaria capitata, is a vibrant bird belonging to the tanager family, Thraupidae. Despite its name, it is not closely related to the true cardinals of the Cardinalidae family.

Identification Tips

Adults of this species are characterized by their striking red plumage, contrasting sharply with a black throat, face, and upper breast. The bill, as the name suggests, is a bright yellow, providing a splash of color against the black and red. Juveniles, however, lack the vivid hues of the adults and are more subdued in coloration. One key feature to distinguish this bird is the absence of a crest, which sets it apart from the similar Red-crested Cardinal.

Habitat

The Yellow-billed Cardinal favors moist shrubland environments where it can find both food and shelter.

Distribution

This species is native to South America, with its range extending through Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay, and northern Argentina. It has also established a presence on the island of Hawai'i, where it has been introduced.

Similar Species

The Yellow-billed Cardinal could be easily confused with the Red-crested Cardinal. However, the absence of a crest on the Yellow-billed Cardinal is a distinguishing feature.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the Yellow-billed Cardinal as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no significant threats to its population numbers. It is also listed in Appendix II of CITES.