Cardinals are present in Arizona, adding vibrant color to the state’s diverse landscapes. They are a common sight, thriving in various habitats. Their presence enriches Arizona’s avian biodiversity.
The Cardinals of Arizona
Arizona is home to two distinct species of cardinals: the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) and the Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus). While both belong to the same family, Cardinalidae, they differ notably. The Northern Cardinal, known for its brilliant red male plumage, is familiar across North America. Its counterpart, the Pyrrhuloxia, or “desert cardinal,” has a more subdued, grayish body with red accents.
Male Northern Cardinals are bright red with a black mask. Male Pyrrhuloxias are brownish-gray with a red breast, face mask, crest, and wings. Female Northern Cardinals are reddish-olive with red hints on wings, tail, and crest, while female Pyrrhuloxias are duller with less red.
Where to Find Them
Cardinals in Arizona inhabit various environments, adapting to natural and human-modified landscapes. Northern Cardinals inhabit dense shrubby areas like forest edges, overgrown fields, marshy thickets, and suburban backyards. They are common in southeastern Arizona, often near hackberry and mesquite thickets in desert washes.
Pyrrhuloxias prefer drier habitats such as desert scrub, thorny mesquite thickets, and brushy desert stream beds. Their range is primarily in southern and southeastern Arizona. Both are year-round residents, often found near water sources or specific vegetation.
Identifying Arizona’s Cardinals
Distinguishing Arizona’s cardinal species involves visual and auditory cues. The most prominent difference is their bill shape and color. Northern Cardinals have a large, thick, wedge-shaped bill, typically pink or red. Pyrrhuloxias have a shorter, stout, curved, parrot-like bill that is yellow or ivory-colored.
Beyond bill shape, male plumage identifies them: Northern Cardinals are intensely red, while male Pyrrhuloxias have a gray body with red highlights. Both have a distinct crest, though the Pyrrhuloxia’s can appear more spiky. Their vocalizations are similar, with both sexes singing clear, whistled songs. Northern Cardinals sing “cheer, cheer, cheer” or “birdie, birdie, birdie,” while Pyrrhuloxias have a softer, reedy version.
Attracting and Observing Cardinals
Attracting cardinals involves providing food, water, and shelter. Cardinals are primarily seed-eaters, favoring black oil sunflower and safflower seeds. They also eat cracked corn, peanuts, berries, and insects. Platform or hopper feeders with sturdy perches are preferred, as larger birds may struggle with lightweight tube feeders.
A consistent water source, like a 2-3 inch deep birdbath, benefits drinking and bathing. Cardinals seek dense cover for nesting and roosting. Planting native shrubs and trees like mesquite, hackberry, or other dense evergreens encourages their presence. Observe cardinals ethically, maintaining respectful distance and avoiding disturbance, especially near active nests.