Red-Headed Cardinal vs Red-Cowled Cardinal

Red-Headed Cardinal

Paroaria

How to recognise a red-headed cardinal?

General appearance

The red-headed cardinal, also known as Brazilian Cardinal, is a remarkable bird known for its brilliant red head and black mask, in contrast with the grey body-texture. Their beak is cone-shaped and extremely sharp, able to crack seeds and nuts easily. The bird is medium-sized, around 19-22 centimeters long. The overall hue shifts are not very drastic seasonally, the signature red-head remains prominent throughout the year.

Male vs female

Sexual dimorphism is not highly pronounced in red-headed cardinals. Males and females largely look similar with red heads, masked faces, and grey bodies. However, males tend to be marginally larger and have a slightly brighter red coloring. They also boast more melodiously complex songs than females.

Juvenile

Juvenile red-headed cardinals show a more subdued color palette than adults. Their heads are brown or dull red, gradually brightening to the characteristic scarlet as they mature. They also lack the distinctive black mask of the adults.

Size

6.5 - 7.5 in/0.6 - 1.7 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The red-headed cardinal typically resides in the South and Midwest of the United States, favoring woodlands, swamps and riparian areas.

Additional range

They can sometimes be found in suburban and urban areas. They have no specific climate preference, but they migrate to warmer regions during winter.

Range Map

What do red-headed cardinals like to eat?

Natural diet

The red-headed cardinal primarily feeds on a variety of seeds, fruits, and insects. In its natural habitat, it consumes seeds from grass and other plants, while also eating small fruits and berries. Insects are a significant part of its diet, providing essential protein, especially during the breeding season. It often forages on the ground or in low vegetation, seeking out food sources that are abundant in its environment.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the red-headed cardinal is known to consume a range of seeds and grains. Black-oil sunflower seeds are particularly favored due to their high nutritional value and accessibility. Safflower seeds are another common choice, as well as millet and cracked corn. These offerings mimic the seeds found in its natural diet, making bird feeders a supplementary source of nourishment, especially in urban and suburban settings where natural food sources may be limited.

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Red-Cowled Cardinal

Paroaria dominicana

How to recognise a red-cowled cardinal?

General appearance

The Red-cowled Cardinal is a medium-sized bird, primarily gray with a black throat and wings, a distinctive white bar on the wings and a vivid red crest or 'cowl' on the head. Its beak is grayish, the eyes are dark brown, and the legs are also gray in color. It is known for its varied songs and calls.

Male vs female

Male and female Red-cowled Cardinals are similar in appearance, but males tend to have slightly brighter red cowls. They also tend to be bigger in size, but otherwise, both genders share the same coloring and markings. Without the advantage of size comparison or close observation, it can be challenging to differentiate between them.

Juvenile

Juvenile Red-cowled Cardinals are lighter in color compared to adults. Their feathers usually sport duller gray tones, and they lack the starkly contrasting white wing bars. The signature red cowl is replaced by a muted brown that gradually turns red as they mature. It takes almost a year for the juvenile to gain the adult plumage.

Size

6.9 - 7.3 in/1.1 - 1.2 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Red-cowled Cardinal primarily inhabits the Atlantic forest in south-eastern Brazil, preferring regions with tropical and subtropical climates.

Additional range

Outside its usual range, it can be found in urban parks and gardens, demonstrating adaptability to man-made environments.

Range Map

What do red-cowled cardinals like to eat?

Natural diet

The red-cowled cardinal primarily feeds on seeds, fruits, and insects in its natural habitat. It forages on the ground or in shrubs and trees, often consuming a variety of seeds from grasses and plants, berries, and small invertebrates that provide protein and nutrients.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the red-cowled cardinal commonly consumes sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn. It is attracted to feeders that offer a diverse mix of seeds, reflecting its natural preference for a wide range of food sources.

What does a red-cowled cardinal sound like?

The Red-cowled Cardinal exhibits a melodious and varied song, often loud and continuous, characterized by high-pitched whistles, trills, and throbbing or bubbling notes. Its basic call sounds like a sharp "wheep". Males usually sing to establish territories or during courtship. Their vocalization tends to increase at dawn and twilight. Chicks display soft begging calls.

Song

Audio by Jayrson Araujo De Oliveira

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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Red-Headed Cardinal

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Red-Cowled Cardinal

Red-Headed Cardinal

Paroaria

General appearance

The red-headed cardinal, also known as Brazilian Cardinal, is a remarkable bird known for its brilliant red head and black mask, in contrast with the grey body-texture. Their beak is cone-shaped and extremely sharp, able to crack seeds and nuts easily. The bird is medium-sized, around 19-22 centimeters long. The overall hue shifts are not very drastic seasonally, the signature red-head remains prominent throughout the year.

Male vs female

Sexual dimorphism is not highly pronounced in red-headed cardinals. Males and females largely look similar with red heads, masked faces, and grey bodies. However, males tend to be marginally larger and have a slightly brighter red coloring. They also boast more melodiously complex songs than females.

Juvenile

Juvenile red-headed cardinals show a more subdued color palette than adults. Their heads are brown or dull red, gradually brightening to the characteristic scarlet as they mature. They also lack the distinctive black mask of the adults.

Size

6.5 - 7.5 in/0.6 - 1.7 oz

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Red-Cowled Cardinal

Paroaria dominicana

General appearance

The Red-cowled Cardinal is a medium-sized bird, primarily gray with a black throat and wings, a distinctive white bar on the wings and a vivid red crest or 'cowl' on the head. Its beak is grayish, the eyes are dark brown, and the legs are also gray in color. It is known for its varied songs and calls.

Male vs female

Male and female Red-cowled Cardinals are similar in appearance, but males tend to have slightly brighter red cowls. They also tend to be bigger in size, but otherwise, both genders share the same coloring and markings. Without the advantage of size comparison or close observation, it can be challenging to differentiate between them.

Juvenile

Juvenile Red-cowled Cardinals are lighter in color compared to adults. Their feathers usually sport duller gray tones, and they lack the starkly contrasting white wing bars. The signature red cowl is replaced by a muted brown that gradually turns red as they mature. It takes almost a year for the juvenile to gain the adult plumage.

Size

6.9 - 7.3 in/1.1 - 1.2 oz

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How to tell the Red-Headed Cardinal from the Red-Cowled Cardinal

Visual differences

The Red-Headed Cardinal has a brilliant red head with a black mask, contrasting with a grey body, and a sharp, cone-shaped beak, measuring 6.5-7.5 inches. The Red-Cowled Cardinal features a vivid red crest, gray body with black throat and wings, a distinct white wing bar, and a grayish beak, measuring 7-7.3 inches. While both have similar sizes, the Red-Headed Cardinal is slightly larger and has a brighter red head, whereas the Red-Cowled Cardinal's red is confined to the crest with more pronounced white wing bars.

Key differences and behavior

The Red-Headed Cardinal and Red-Cowled Cardinal exhibit distinct behavioral differences. Both species thrive in small groups, but the Red-Headed Cardinal, found in U.S. woodlands and swamps, adapts to urban areas and migrates in winter. In contrast, the Red-Cowled Cardinal prefers Brazil's Atlantic forests and urban parks, favoring consistent climates. Foraging behavior is similar, focusing on seeds, fruits, and insects, although Red-Headed Cardinals are attracted to suburban bird feeders more. Both species share courtship behaviors, involving song and aerial displays; however, Red-Cowled Cardinals include mutual preening. Nesting habits are alike, with nests built in shrubs or low trees. While both parents feed chicks, Red-Cowled Cardinal chicks fledge slightly later. Despite dietary overlap, Red-Headed Cardinals particularly prefer sunflower seeds at feeders.

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

Red-Headed Cardinal vs Red-Crested Cardinal

Red-Headed Cardinal

Red-Crested Cardinal

Learn the difference

Red-Headed Cardinal or Red-Cowled Cardinal?

Red-Headed Cardinal

How to recognise a red-headed cardinal?

Habitat

What do red-headed cardinals like to eat?

There's more to learn about Red-Headed Cardinal

Red-Cowled Cardinal

How to recognise a red-cowled cardinal?

Habitat

What do red-cowled cardinals like to eat?

What does a red-cowled cardinal sound like?

Song

There's more to learn about Red-Cowled Cardinal

Red-Headed Cardinal

There's more to learn about Red-Headed Cardinal

Red-Cowled Cardinal

There's more to learn about Red-Cowled Cardinal

How to tell the Red-Headed Cardinal from the Red-Cowled Cardinal

Visual differences

Key differences and behavior

Still not sure? Here are more lookalikes!

Red-Headed Cardinal vs Red-Crested Cardinal

Red-Headed Cardinal

Red-Crested Cardinal

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Red-Cowled Cardinal vs [Select a bird]

Red-Cowled Cardinal

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