Jul
31
Desert Cardinal
BySad to go through life saddled with such a name, but the Pyrrhuloxias of our yard seem cheerful enough all the same.
These “gray cardinals” are a common sight in the neighborhood, slipping among the cactus and palo verdes to feed out of sight. But early in the morning and again in the evening, the males are moved to seek higher perches, from which they sing their loud, somewhat thin series of whistles, enlivening the otherwise silent heat of our desert midsummer.
4 Comments
July 5th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Where was this photo taken? Just curious since I saw one of these yesterday in my yard in New York but they seem to be American Southwest type of birds??? It leaves me wondering!
July 5th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Thanks for writing. You’re much more likely to have seen a Northern Cardinal, females and young individuals of which have some similarities to Pyrrhuloxia.
September 17th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Thanks for your site. Like Nitefeatherz above, my wife and I are wondering. Although not yet certain, we have been watching what we think is this same bird here in western Massachusetts. They appear distinct (color, beaks, etc.) from the female and young cardinals we’ve been seeing for years. Could it be? I’ll try and get a picture.
September 17th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Send me a photo when you get one! Good luck, and enjoy the fall,
rick