Red-capped Cardinal

Overview

The red-capped cardinal (Paroaria gularis) is a small bird in the tanager family Thraupidae found in South America. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is generally a common species.

Identification

• Adult birds are 16.5 cm long and weigh about 22 g, featuring a crimson head, shiny black upperparts, and white underparts with a partial collar.
• The throat is black, extending to a point on the upper chest, while the legs are dark grey and the iris is brownish-orange.
• The upper mandible is black, contrasting with a pale flesh-coloured lower mandible.
• The song consists of a variable, often repeated series of 'suweet-chu' notes, accompanied by a sharp 'chep' call.

Habitat

This species inhabits swamps, mangroves, várzea, and other semi-open areas near water across the lowlands of the Guianas, Venezuela, eastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern and eastern Bolivia, and the Amazon basin in Brazil. It is often found in lightly wooded wet habitats, including towns and cities such as Manaus and Puerto Maldonado.

Diet

The red-capped cardinal feeds on insects, rice, and fruit. It is usually observed in conspicuous pairs or family groups.

Did you know?

An adult was recorded feeding a fledgling shiny cowbird, a brood parasite, in late March, suggesting that breeding can occur earlier than the typical June to September season in northern South America.