Red-cowled cardinal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red-cowled cardinal |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Paroaria
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| Species: |
dominicana
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| Synonyms | |
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Loxia dominicana Linnaeus, 1758 |
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The red-cowled cardinal (Paroaria dominicana) is a beautiful bird species. It belongs to the tanager family called Thraupidae. Even though it's called a "cardinal," it's not very closely related to the true cardinals you might know.
This bird lives only in Brazil. You can find it in many dry or partly dry open places in northeastern Brazil, especially in a region called the Caatinga. Sometimes, these birds escape from cages and start living in cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. When this happens, they can become quite common even in busy city areas.
About This Bird
The red-cowled cardinal is known for its bright red head, which looks a bit like a hood or "cowl." Its body is mostly black and white, making it stand out. These birds are often seen in pairs or small groups, looking for food. They like areas with some trees and bushes, but also open spaces.
Where It Lives
This special bird is found only in Brazil. It loves the dry, thorny forests and scrublands of the Caatinga region in northeastern Brazil. This area can be quite hot and dry, but the red-cowled cardinal is well-suited to live there. It can also be found near rivers and in areas where people live, especially if there are gardens or parks.
How It Got Its Name
Naming the Red-Cowled Cardinal
The red-cowled cardinal was first officially described in 1758 by a famous Swedish scientist named Carl Linnaeus. He wrote about it in his book, Systema Naturae. Linnaeus gave it the scientific name Loxia dominica. The "dominica" part of its name refers to the black and white clothes worn by members of the Dominican Order, a group of monks. This is because the bird's feathers are also black and white.
Later, in 1832, another scientist named Charles Lucien Bonaparte created a new group of birds called Paroaria. The red-cowled cardinal is now one of six species in this group. This bird is a "monotypic" species, which means there are no different types or subspecies of it. It's just one unique kind of red-cowled cardinal!
