Red-Crested Cardinal

Description:

Appearance: General: 7.5 inches in length. Sexes similar. Adult: Dark gray above. White hindneck and underparts. Bright red head, crest, and upper breast. Silver-gray bill. Dark legs. Juvenile: Similar to adult, but has brown head, crest, and upperbreast. Dark bill.

Habitat:

Semi-open areas with shrubs and trees, parks, lawns, and dry forests. Native to South America. Introduced to the Hawaiian Islands around 1930.

Notes:

Nesting: 2-5 eggs. The eggs have a 12-13 day incubation period. Fledging occurs in ? days. The Red-crested Cardinal feeds on the ground for seeds, plant matter, insects, and fruit. Often found in pairs or small family groups. Also known as the Brazilian Cardinal.