Pyrrhuloxia

Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) is in the Cardinals and Allies family (Cardinalidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 7,031 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Pyrrhuloxia: observations by month (U.S.)

About Pyrrhuloxia

The pyrrhuloxia or desert cardinal (Cardinalis sinuatus) is a medium-sized North American song bird found in the American southwest and northern Mexico. This distinctive species with a short, stout bill, red crest and wings, closely resembles the northern and the vermilion cardinals which are in the same genus.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Pyrrhuloxia by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Cardinals and Allies)

Northern CardinalCardinalis cardinalis

Indigo BuntingPasserina cyanea

Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianus

Summer TanagerPiranga rubra

Painted BuntingPasserina ciris

Black-headed GrosbeakPheucticus melanocephalus

Western TanagerPiranga ludoviciana

Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivacea

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ