Admire The Beautiful Contrast Of The Black-N-White Coat And Red Head Of This Masked Cardinal
The Masked Cardinal is an absolutely adorable bird, with its bright red hood and throat, contrasting black mask, and white underparts. The intense orange of its eyes is especially striking.
Juveniles of this species are also a sight to behold, with their brown, white, and yellow coverings. This species of bird, which is part of the tanager family, is truly a pleasure to behold.
The Masked Cardinal has a diet that consists of fruits, small insects, and nectar. It tends to live in woodland areas, forests, and savannas.
In addition to its beautiful appearance, this species is also interesting from a biological standpoint. These gorgeous birds can often be spotted in delightful groups of juveniles and adults near water in riverine forests, scrub, and savanna, mostly in lowlands.
They tend to stay close to the ground as they don't soar too high. Their habitats are mainly located in eastern Colombia, northern Venezuela, Trinidad, and Brazil in the upper reaches of the Negro River.
They are luckily blessed with all-year warm lands with high humidity, such as tropical forests, and because of this, they don't have to migrate due to seasonal changes. It is important to note that they used to be considered conspecific with the very similar Red-capped Cardinal, but fortunately, there is no range overlap.
Their habitats are mainly located in eastern Colombia, northern Venezuela, Trinidad, and Brazil in the upper reaches of the Negro River.
Jason Fidorra/Caroni Swamp, San Juan-Laventille, Trinidad and TobagoThe Masked Cardinal is an intriguing bird, measuring about 16.5 inches in length and weighing 23 grams. Both males and females of the species possess a unique festival mask-like marking that adds to their charm.
They are omnivorous and can enjoy a varied diet - from fruits and seeds to worms, insects and small animals. These birds need lots of energy and nutrients to maintain their strength, enabling them to spread their wings and reproduce.
Juveniles of this species are also a sight to behold, with their brown, white, and yellow coverings.
Margaret Sloan/Caroni Swamp and Preserve, Trinidad, Tunapuna-Piarco, Trinidad and TobagoThe Masked Cardinal is an intriguing bird, measuring about 16.5 inches in length and weighing 23 grams
Jerome Foster/Aranguez – Farmlands by Overpass, San Juan-Laventille, Trinidad and TobagoCardinal birds have beautiful and distinctive songs that are silvery and singsong. During mating season (June to November), they sing to their mates and build their nests in tree branches at heights of 2.5-5.5 meters.
The female bird then lays two eggs. Despite the presence of the shiny cowbird, which sometimes parasitizes their nest, cardinals are a pleasure to listen to!
They are omnivorous and can enjoy a varied diet - from fruits and seeds to worms, insects and small animals.
Timo Mitzen/Goldfish Ponds; Meta, Colombia, Meta, ColombiaDuring mating season (June to November), they sing to their mates and build their nests in tree branches at heights of 2.5-5.5 meters.
Jhon Velasquez/Parque Arawana, Meta, ColombiaThese birds need lots of energy and nutrients to maintain their strength, enabling them to spread their wings and reproduce.
Luis R Figueroa/Hato El Cedral, Apure, VenezuelaThe female bird then lays two eggs.
Amilcar Lusinchi
The Masked Cardinal is listed on the IUCN Red List as the Least Concern, which means they are not in danger of extinction! If you're planning a trip to America and would like to admire these beautiful birds, make sure you share this article with your bird-loving friends.
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