Yes, there are some cardinals that are not the typical bright red color that they are known for. While the common Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) that is found in North America is a vivid red, there are other species in the cardinal family (Cardinalidae) that display different coloration. In this article, we will explore some of the cardinals from around the world that come in different shades like yellow, orange, black, and even blue.
What Are Cardinals?
Cardinals are passerine birds in the family Cardinalidae. There are approximately 42 species of cardinals that are found naturally in the Americas, some parts of Africa, and Eurasia. They are medium-sized songbirds with thick conical bills and crested heads.
The common name “cardinal” refers to the Catholic cardinals who wear vivid red robes. Most cardinals are named for their beautiful red plumage. The bright coloration in males is due to carotenoid pigments obtained through their berry and seed diet. While red cardinals are common, not all cardinals conform to the classic look.
Yellow Cardinals
One cardinal species that breaks the red mold is the Yellow Cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata) native to Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. True to its name, the Yellow Cardinal has bright yellow plumage on its body, wings, and crest. Its black face mask, orange bill, and red accents on the wings and tail still resemble the pattern of their red relatives.
The Yellow Cardinal’s vibrant yellow comes from a different set of carotenoid pigments than the red. Their diet likely consists of certain yellow or orange pigmented fruit. Yellow cardinals are quite rare, found only in localized regions. Loss of habitat has caused their numbers to dwindle.
| Species | Location | Coloration |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Cardinal | Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina | Yellow body, black face, orange bill |
Orange Cardinals
The Red-cowled Cardinal (Paroaria dominicana) is named for the orange or reddish patch on the neck and throat of the male. This medium-sized finch lives in northern and central South America in countries like Venezuela, Columbia, and Bolivia.
While the male Red-cowled Cardinal has vibrant orange or red plumage on its neck and head, its back and wings are black with red accents. Females of the species are olive-brown rather than orange. Both males and females have thick conical orange bills. Their unique look distinguishes them from the more familiar red cardinals.
| Species | Location | Coloration |
|---|---|---|
| Red-cowled Cardinal | Venezuela, Columbia, Bolivia | Orange/red throat and head, black body |
Black Cardinals
Native to Peru and Bolivia, the Black-backed Grosbeak (Pheucticus aureoventris) flaunts a flashy contrast of black and yellow. The adult males are mostly jet black except for golden yellow undersides. Their black coloring inspired one of their alternative common names, the Black Cardinal.
Females have olive-green and brown plumage instead of black. Both sexes have thick conical bills like other cardinals. Their range extends through the Amazon in countries like Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Brazil. The striking Black Cardinal is currently listed as near threatened due to habitat loss.
| Species | Location | Coloration |
|---|---|---|
| Black-backed Grosbeak | Peru, Bolivia | Black back, yellow underside |
White Cardinals
Most startling is the albino or leucistic Northern Cardinal that is almost entirely white except for splashes of red or orange accents. Leucism is a condition that reduces pigmentation, so white cardinals still retain some of the normal red coloration. Albino cardinals with zero pigment are very rare.
While unusual, white cardinals are the same species as the typical red ones. Their white coloration results from a genetic mutation that inhibits melanin. White cardinals tend to stick out against the green foliage so they are sometimes easier for birders to spot. They are not simply a white morph of the species.
| Species | Location | Coloration |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Cardinal leucistic morph | North America | Mostly white with some red accents |
Blue Cardinals
Arguably the most unique is the Blue Cardinal (Cyanocompsa parellina), native to tropical South America. With its royal blue plumage, black face mask, and blue crest, it looks un-cardinal-like except for its thick conical red bill. This rare all-blue bird inhabits humid foothill forests in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.
The Blue Cardinal’s brilliant color likely comes from a unique structural color rather than a blue pigment. The structure of the feather barbs produces blue through the scattering and reflecting of light. This dazzling blue morph is quite a departure from the cardinal norm.
| Species | Location | Coloration |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cardinal | Bolivia, Brazil, Peru | Royal blue body, black face, blue crest |
Causes of Non-Red Coloration
What makes some cardinals develop unusual colors unlike the typical red? Here are some of the reasons:
- Diet – Access to different carotenoid pigments can produce orange, yellow, or even white if the diet lacks pigments.
- Genetic mutation – Mutations in genes for melanin production can cause leucism or albinism leading to white coloration.
- Structural color – Feather structures can scatter light to product non-pigment colors like blue.
- Geography – Separate subspecies evolve different colors as adaptations to their environment.
Are Non-Red Cardinals Rare?
Cardinals exhibiting unusual colors beyond red are exceptionally rare compared to the widespread red species. The occurrences of strangely-colored cardinals are mainly restricted to localized tropical regions of South America.
They do not comprise whole new species. Rather they are genetic variants, morphs, or separate subspecies of the cardinal family. Their ranges are limited so sightings of orange, yellow, black, white, or blue cardinals anywhere outside the tropics would be extremely unusual.
However, the occasional leucistic white Northern Cardinal can and does sometimes appear amidst its normal red relatives even in North America. These wildcards can generate much excitement among birdwatchers due to their sheer novelty.
Why Are Red Cardinals So Widespread?
Red cardinals now occur widely across eastern North America because of several key adaptations:
- Adaptability – Cardinals adapt readily to habitats from deep woods to backyard feeders.
- Diet – Their omnivorous diet includes fruit, seeds, insects, and grain so food is plentiful.
- Backyard feeding – Humans intentionally supply cardinal-friendly seeds and berries.
- Nesting – Cardinals nest in shrubs and small trees that are available in many areas.
- Few predators – Lacking main predators like hawks allows cardinals to flourish.
Thanks to these key adaptations, Northern Cardinals have expanded their range dramatically over the past century. In contrast, rare colored variants remain confined to narrow tropical niches.
Conclusion
While bright red cardinals are certainly the norm, other intriguing species break the mold with yellow, orange, black, white, and even blue plumage. These unique cardinals occur mainly in tropical South America. Leucistic white cardinals can also randomly appear amidst normal red ones.
Cardinals exhibit variation in color for reasons like diet, genetics, feather structure, geography, and subspecies differentiation. Non-red cardinals are exceptionally rare compared to widespread red ones. The red color provides cardinals with strong mating advantages, allowing them to expand their range widely across North America.
So if you spot a bright blue or lemon yellow cardinal, it is likely an escapee pet rather than a natural variant. But keep an eye out for those white morphs that can sometimes appear in backyard flocks of typical red Northern Cardinals. Though uncommon, genetic surprises do happen!
