It sorta looks like a Northern Cardinal, the cardinal species that most of us are familiar with, but Pyrrhuloxias are not red all over and they dont’ have a red bill found on their more widespread cousin. They do have a similar profile including a long crest (though more pointed) and a long tail. Pyrrhuloxias have stout bills that if you look closely are not only gray to yellowish but more rounded that those found on Northern Cardinals. And, the most obvious difference at first sight is that they are grayish overall with a reddish highlights. The males do have red on their breasts, around their bills, on their crests, wings and tail while females have only a little red on wings and tail.
I think this male Pyrrhuloxia is quite handsome. This species is found in the deserts of southwestern U.S. from southeastern Arizona, across very southern New Mexico then through much of Texas, covering almost half of it in the southwest parts. Though their habitat includes desert shrub, riparian woodlands and some farm fields, they do come to seed feeders at homes that are located near mesquite and cactus. They are omnivorous (eating most anything edible they find) eating seeds, fruit and insects so may come to most any of the bird food put out for other species for those who live in locations where they are found.
In much of their range Pyrrhuloxia overlap with Northern Cardinals so those viewing cardinal-like birds in those areas have to be attentive to the differences between those species to correctly identify the bird.
So, how in the world do you pronounce such an unusual name? Try this: pie-rue-lox-ee-a .
