There are two main species of cardinals that can be found in the state of Texas – the Northern Cardinal and the Pyrrhuloxia. The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is the more common and widespread of the two, being found across much of eastern and central Texas. The Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) has a more limited range within the state, being found mainly in south and west Texas. Both are strikingly colored songbirds that hold a special place in Texas culture and traditions.
What is a cardinal?
Cardinals belong to the genus Cardinalis, which is part of the wider Cardinalidae family of birds. They are medium-sized songbirds with crests on their heads and distinctive red plumage. The males of most cardinal species have particularly bright red feathers, while females are more brownish-gray. There are around 18 species of cardinals found across North and South America. They are closely related to grosbeaks and buntings within the Cardinalidae family. Cardinals are non-migratory, remaining resident throughout the year in their breeding ranges.
Northern Cardinal
Description
The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is the most common and popular backyard cardinal across eastern Texas. The male Northern Cardinal is perhaps one of the most recognizable bird species, with its bright red plumage, mohawk-like crest, and thick conical bill. Males have vivid scarlet-red feathers over most of their body, with a black facial mask extending from the beak and around the eyes. Their bill is a distinctive orange-red color. Females are more muted, with predominantly gray-brown plumage, a reddish tinge to their wings, tails and crests, and red accents on their face, throat and belly. They lack the black face mask of the males. Northern Cardinals grow to around 8.3-9.1 inches (21-23 cm) in length with a wingspan of 9.8-12.6 inches (25-32 cm).
Voice
The Northern Cardinal has easily recognizable vocalizations. The male’s song is a loud, clear whistle typically described as “what-cheer, what-cheer, what-cheer”. This whistle may be repeated multiple times. Females also sing, often early in the morning, and their song is a less loud series of trills and whistles. Both males and females may also make chip notes to signal alarm or stay in contact.
Range and Habitat
The Northern Cardinal has a wide distribution across eastern North America. In Texas, its range covers the eastern two-thirds of the state. They are found year-round across central, south and east Texas, including in the Piney Woods, Post Oak Savanna, Blackland Prairies and South Texas Plains regions. They occur as far west as the eastern side of the Edwards Plateau and southern Llano Estacado. Within its Texan range, the Northern Cardinal can be found in a variety of semi-open habitats with dense, low vegetation including woodland edges, gardens, parks, overgrown fields and thickets. They adapt well to human settlement and are common visitors to backyards and feeders.
Behavior
Northern Cardinals are territorial songbirds, defending their breeding and foraging grounds from intrusion by other cardinals. Males mark out and defend territories and stay nearby their mate during the breeding season. They can be aggressive towards intruders, chasing them with calls and flights. Northern Cardinals usually forage in dense shrubbery for food. They mainly eat seeds and fruit, including wild seeds, berries and cultivated grains, but may also feed on some insects like beetles, ants and grasshoppers. Cardinals form monogamous breeding pairs each season. They usually raise 2-3 broods per breeding season. The female builds a cup nest out of twigs, bark, grasses and leaves, which she places in a dense shrub. She lays 3-4 eggs which hatch in around 12 days. Both parents feed and care for the young.
Threats and Conservation
Widespread and common across its Texan range, the Northern Cardinal is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Cardinal numbers are estimated to be around 100 million individuals across their global range. Suburban development and backyard feeding have likely benefited Northern Cardinal populations. Cats allowed outdoors pose some predatory threat. But there are no major threats to the species at present.
Pyrrhuloxia
Description
The Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) is a more arid-adapted cardinal species found across south and west Texas. It has a stouter bill and duller plumage than the Northern Cardinal. The male Pyrrhuloxia has grayish feathers over most of its body. Its wings, crest, tail and parts of the face are red, but this is a more muted, orange-red tone compared to the vivid scarlet of a Northern Cardinal. Females are even more subdued, with predominantly light brown plumage but still a trace of orange-red in the crest, wings and tail. The Pyrrhuloxia measures around 8.3-9.1 inches (21-23 cm), the same size as a Northern Cardinal. But its wingspan is slightly larger at 10.2-13.4 inches (26-34 cm).
Voice
The voice of the Pyrrhuloxia is very different to the whistled song of the Northern Cardinal. Males sing a loud series of lower-pitched, nasal “weo-oo-oo-weep” sounds. They may also make “pit-pit’ contact calls or clicking notes when alarmed. Females make shorter, higher-pitched vocalizations.
Range and Habitat
The Pyrrhuloxia has a more limited distribution centered on the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. In Texas it occurs across the southern and western parts of the state, in regions such as the Edwards Plateau, Rio Grande Plains and western Hill Country. Its range overlaps with that of the Northern Cardinal along eastern parts of central Texas. This species inhabits more arid scrubland, open woodland, thickets and canyons, favoring mesquite, hackberry and oak habitats in particuar. It adapts well to desert washes and human-altered environments.
Behavior
Like the Northern Cardinal, Pyrrhuloxias are non-migratory and hold breeding territories year-round. Their diet and foraging behavior is also similar, feeding on seeds, grains, fruits and some insects. They forage on the ground or in low vegetation. Pyrrhuloxias form monogamous breeding pairs. The nest is built by the female in trees or dense shrubs, and composed of twigs, leaves and grasses. The typical clutch size is 3-4 eggs. Males help feed chicks and defend the nest site. Pyrrhuloxias readily visit bird feeders within their Texan range and have adapted well to human settlement.
Threats and Conservation
With a wide range and large population, the Pyrrhuloxia is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. Partners in Flight estimate there are around 2.5 million Pyrrhuloxias across their global range. There are no major threats to the species, and it remains common across southern and western Texas. Some hybridization occurs with Northern Cardinals where their ranges overlap.
How to identify Northern Cardinals vs. Pyrrhuloxias
The Northern Cardinal is more widely distributed across eastern Texas, while the Pyrrhuloxia is found in the southern and western parts of the state with some overlap in central Texas. The male Northern Cardinal is unmistakable with its vivid red plumage. The male Pyrrhuloxia is grayer with more muted orange-red tones. Females are harder to differentiate, but Northern Cardinals have some reddish coloration while Pyrrhuloxia females are very subdued light brown. The Pyrrhuloxia also has a larger wingspan. The songs of the two species are very distinct, with the whistled song of the Northern Cardinal compared to nasal wheezing of the Pyrrhuloxia. Both may be seen at backyard feeders in their respective Texan ranges.
| Trait | Northern Cardinal | Pyrrhuloxia |
|---|---|---|
| Male plumage | Bright red | Gray with orange-red accents |
| Female plumage | Gray-brown with some red | Light brown |
| Song | Loud, whistled “what-cheer” | Nasal, wheezing lower-pitched |
| Range in Texas | Eastern two-thirds | Southern and western |
| Wingspan | 9.8-12.6 in (25-32 cm) | 10.2-13.4 in (26-34 cm) |
| Habitat | Woodland edges, thickets, parks | Arid scrub, desert canyons |
Ecology and behavior
Northern Cardinals and Pyrrhuloxias exhibit many similarities in their ecology and behavior as non-migratory songbirds occupying terrestrial habitats:
– Diet consists mainly of seeds and fruit, supplemented by some insect prey
– Forage actively on ground or in low vegetation, also visit feeders readily
– Males sing loudly to defend breeding territories, females more muted
– Form monogamous breeding pairs, often raising multiple broods per season
– Nest is an open cup built by female, typically with 3-4 eggs
– Both parents feed and care for young, males defend the nest site
– Readily adapt to human landscapes like suburban parks and backyards
– Territorial all year, will chase away other cardinals intruding on range
– Hybridization may occur in areas where the two species’ ranges overlap
– No major conservation threats, remain common within their Texan ranges
Folklore and culture
Cardinals have been revered in Texas culture, lore and traditions for decades:
– Northern Cardinal was voted the official state bird of Texas in 1927
– Long viewed as a symbol of love, hope and health in Texas folklore
– Belief that a cardinal sighting represents a visit from the spirit of a deceased loved one
– Seeing a “red cardinal” of either species still considered good luck in many traditions
– Used in imagery for sports teams, schools, businesses and more across the state
– Bright red plumage featured in Native American legends about how birds gained color
– Pyrrhuloxia’s name comes from Greek for “flame colored”, alluding to its reddish hues
– Both species admired for their songs, plumage and personalities at backyard feeders
– Favored artistic subject for Texas nature artists and bird painters/illustrators
– Northern Cardinal considered one of the most recognizable and iconic bird species in North America
– Valued as a resident species that adorns Texas parks, gardens and natural areas year-round
Conclusion
The Northern Cardinal and Pyrrhuloxia are the two strikingly colored cardinal species that call Texas home. The widespread Northern Cardinal is the state bird of Texas and brightens up parks, backyards and other habitats across eastern and central parts of the state with its vivid red plumage. The local desert-dwelling Pyrrhuloxia, while less flamboyant, adds a graceful orange-red accent to landscapes across southern and western Texas. Both cardinals hold a special place in Texas artistic, cultural and natural heritage, and continue to thrive across most of the state. With care taken to preserve their native habitats, these two beloved songbirds will remain icons of the Texan outdoors for decades to come.
