Paroaria gularis
The Red-capped Cardinal (Paroaria gularis) is a striking passerine bird, instantly recognizable by its vivid crimson-red head, contrasting sharply with its glossy black upperparts and pure white underparts. Averaging 16.5-18 cm (6.5-7 inches) in length and weighing between 17-22 grams, this species is easily identified by its lack of a crest, bright red head, and a distinctive white band or collar separating the red from the black mantle. It belongs to the Thraupidae family, making it a tanag...
Primarily found in lowland riparian zones, marshes, oxbow lakes, flooded forests, and savannas, always in close proximity to water, typically below 500 meters (1,600 ft) elevation.
Omnivorous, feeding primarily on insects (beetles, ants, larvae), small fruits, seeds, and aquatic invertebrates, occasionally supplemented with small fish or tadpoles, foraged by gleaning, sallying, and wading.
Red-capped Cardinals are diurnal birds, active during daylight hours, often seen in pairs or small family groups, occasionally forming larger mixed-species flocks outside the breeding season. Their foraging strategy is varied; they glean insects from low foliage, peck at seeds and small fruits, a...
The Red-capped Cardinal boasts an extensive range across the lowland Amazon and Orinoco river basins in northern South America. Its distribution spans eastern Colombia, southern and eastern Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and significan...
Least Concern
- Despite its common name, the Red-capped Cardinal is not a 'true' cardinal but belongs to the tanager family (Thraupidae). - Its vibrant crimson-red head coloration is derived from carotenoid pigments obtained through its diet. - These birds are highly adaptable and often thrive in proximity to ...