(Description from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
The Cardinals or Cardinalidae are a family of passerine birds found in North and South America. The
South American cardinals in the genus Paroaria are placed in another family, the Thraupidae (previously
placed in Emberizidae).
These are robust, seed-eating birds, with strong bills. The average size is about 12-cm, 11.5-gram. They
are typically associated with open woodlands. The sexes usually have distinctive appearances; the family
is named for the red plumage whose color resembles that of a Catholic cardinal's vestments.
The "buntings" or groups, in this family are sometimes generically known as "tropical buntings" (though
not all live in the tropics) or "North American buntings" (though there are other buntings in North America)
to distinguish them from the true buntings. Likewise the grosbeaks in this family are sometimes called
"cardinal-grosbeaks" to distinguish them from other grosbeaks. The name "cardinal-grosbeak" can also
apply to this family as a whole.
Most species are rated by the International Union of the Conservation of Nature as least concern, though
some are near threatened.
The Cardinals or Cardinalidae are a family of passerine birds found in North and South America. The
South American cardinals in the genus Paroaria are placed in another family, the Thraupidae (previously
placed in Emberizidae).
These are robust, seed-eating birds, with strong bills. The average size is about 12-cm, 11.5-gram. They
are typically associated with open woodlands. The sexes usually have distinctive appearances; the family
is named for the red plumage whose color resembles that of a Catholic cardinal's vestments.
The "buntings" or groups, in this family are sometimes generically known as "tropical buntings" (though
not all live in the tropics) or "North American buntings" (though there are other buntings in North America)
to distinguish them from the true buntings. Likewise the grosbeaks in this family are sometimes called
"cardinal-grosbeaks" to distinguish them from other grosbeaks. The name "cardinal-grosbeak" can also
apply to this family as a whole.
Most species are rated by the International Union of the Conservation of Nature as least concern, though
some are near threatened.
(Photo courtesy of LoHud.com)
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